For Immediate Release: February 28, 2008                    

Contact: Deborah E. Stevens, 602-417-9504

 

 

 

Arizonans interested in the management and conservation of public lands have an opportunity to become directly involved through participation on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC).

 

Nominations are being accepted for five positions on the RAC. The Secretary of the Interior makes all of the three-year appointments to the broad-based citizen council. The deadline for sending nominations and letters of support to the BLM is Monday, April 14, 2008.

 

“The RAC has been an excellent way to keep citizens engaged in the resource issues facing the public lands in Arizona,” said BLM Arizona State Director Elaine Zielinski. “BLM managers look forward to having more Arizonans become involved in this collaborative process, bringing fresh ideas to the table.”

 

The Arizona RAC consists of 15 members. The RAC charter provides for RAC members to serve three-year terms, on a staggered basis, with one-third of the council subject to appointment or reappointment each year.

 

Following are the positions that are open on the RAC this year.

 

-          One position is open in category one (Commodity), which includes Federal grazing permit, energy and mineral development, timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation interests.

 

-          Two positions are open in category two (Non-Commodity), which includes nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historic interests, dispersed recreation, and wild horse and burro groups.

 

-          Two positions are open in category three (Local Area Interest), which includes holders of State, county or local elected office, Native American Tribes, employees of a State agency responsible for management of natural resources, academicians involved in natural sciences, and the public-at-large.

 

Following is a list of RAC members whose terms are ending this year.

 

Stephen Saway           Commodity/Off-Highway Vehicle Use      Sierra Vista             9/2008

Frances Werner           Non-Commodity/Dispersed Recreation   Tucson                    9/2008

Glendon Collins            Non-Commodity/Dispersed Recreation   Phoenix                  9/2008

Larry Howery               Local Area/Academician                          Tucson                    9/2008

Richard Lunt                 Local Area/Public-At-Large                      Duncan                  9/2008

 

Citizens may nominate themselves or others, and all nominees must be an Arizona resident or a resident within those portions of California and Utah under the jurisdiction of the BLM Arizona.

 

Nominees will be evaluated based on their education, training, and experience of the issues and knowledge of the geographical area of the council. They should have demonstrated a commitment to collaborative resource decision-making. All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from the interests or organizations to be represented, a completed background information nomination form, as well as any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

 

Members serve without monetary compensation, but are reimbursed for travel and meal expenses.

 

Nomination forms are available from all BLM offices, and from BLM’s website at http://www.blm.gov/az/. However, letters of nomination can also be submitted and should describe a nominee’s:

 

-          Address, home and business phone numbers;

-          Education and career highlights;

-          Training or experience to give informed, objective advice on an industry, discipline or interest;

-          Knowledge of the geographical area the RAC serves;

-          Demonstrated commitment to collaboration in seeking solutions to resource management issues; and

-          Category of interest to be represented

 

BLM consults with Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano before forwarding its recommendations to the Secretary for the final decision.

 

All nominations and letters of reference should be sent to: