For Release: March 5, 2004
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-04-40

BLM HAS OPENINGS ON NORTHEAST CALIFORNIA CITIZEN ADVISORY COUNCIL

The U. S. Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for membership on the Northeast California Resource Advisory Council, a citizen panel that advises on public lands and natural resource issues.

The Northeast Council, which works closely with BLM managers in Alturas, Cedarville and Susanville, has five openings.

There is one seat open in membership category one, which includes holders of federal livestock grazing permits, timber industry interests, energy and minerals interests, off-highway vehicle users, commercial recreation interests and those interested in transportation and rights-of-way issues.

Membership category two has two openings. This group includes representatives of national or regional environmental organizations, wild horse and burro interest groups, archeology and historic interests and people interested in management of dispersed recreation.

There are two openings in category three which includes local elected officials, employees of state agencies involved in natural resource management, teachers involved in natural resources, Native American tribal interests and the public at large.

"Advisory councils provide the Department of the Interior and the BLM with advice from a broad diversity of viewpoints," said BLM California State Director Mike Pool. "We listen closely to them as we go about the challenging business of managing public lands and resources for the benefit of all the American people."

Anyone interested in applying can get a nomination form by logging on to www.ca.blm.gov/news/rac.html and clicking on the "nomination packet" link at the bottom of the page. Forms also are available by contacting the BLM Alturas Field Office (530) 233-4666; the Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville, (530) 257-0456; or the Surprise Field Office in Cedarville, (530) 279-6101.

Completed forms should be returned by April 19, 2004 to: Bureau of Land Management, 2950 Riverside Dr., Susanville, CA 96130, Attention: Advisory Council Nominations.

The Northeast California council works in an area stretching from eastern Shasta and Siskiyou counties, west into Northwestern Nevada, and from the Oregon border to south of Susanville.

Members have helped the BLM develop standards for healthy lands, guidelines for livestock grazing and off-highway-vehicle use, have provided guidance on development of a juniper management strategy, and are now helping the BLM with development of new land use plans.

The council usually meets quarterly, with field tours a part of most meetings.

Members serve three-year terms. They serve without salary, but are reimbursed for expenses.

For more information, contact BLM Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana at (530) 252-5332, or by email at jfontana@ca.blm.gov.

-BLM-

Northern California Support Team 2950 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130