For Release: March 5, 2004
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-04-41

BLM HAS OPENINGS ON NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA CITIZEN ADVISORY COUNCIL

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

The Northwest Council, which works closely with BLM managers in Arcata, Redding and Ukiah, has four 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 is one opening 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 Arcata Field Office (707) 825-2300; the Redding Field Office, (530) 224-2100; or the Ukiah Field Office, (707) 468-4000.

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 Northwest California council works in an area stretching from the Pacific coast to the I-5 corridor, and from the Oregon border to the northern Bay Area.

Members have helped the BLM develop standards for healthy lands, guidelines for livestock grazing and off-highway-vehicle use, have provided guidance land use planning in important public land areas including the Headwaters Forest Reserve, the King Range National Conservation Area, the Sacramento River and the Cache Creek Natural Area.

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