For Immediate Release:  August 21, 2000
Contact: Sheri Bell (303) 239.3670

Secretary Babbitt Announces New Appointments to BLM Resource Advisory Councils in Colorado

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt announced today the appointment of 18 members to the citizen-based Resource Advisory Councils (RAC) in Colorado, which advise the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on public land issues.

"I am pleased to announce the newest appointees to the Resource Advisory Councils in Colorado," Babbitt said. "These individuals, who come from different backgrounds and represent diverse interests, are committed to building consensus on public land issues. Their advice to BLM will advance the cause of good stewardship of American’s public lands."

The Interior Department created Resource Advisory Councils across the West in 1995 in connection with Secretary Babbitt’s Healthy Rangelands initiative. The councils played a key role in BLM’s development of grazing-related Standards and Guidelines aimed at improving the health and productivity of the public rangelands.

BLM Director Tom Fry congratulated the new appointees. "The Resource Advisory Councils are helping our agency carry out its mission in the fast-growing, fast-changing West," Fry said. "The councils’ input on key issues–such as recreational management and the conservation of open space–will enhance BLM’s effectiveness in promoting the health and productivity of the public lands."

"As we begin our sixth year with Resource Advisory Councils, we realize what an important channel the RACs are for feedback and advice on local issues," said Colorado State Director Ann Morgan. "We appreciate the commitment they make to our agency and valuable input they give us."

The next meeting of the Front Range RAC will be held in Cañon City September 13; the Northwest RAC meets September 19 and 20 in Brown’s Park; and the Southwest RAC will meet September 14 in Dolores. Contact local BLM offices for additional information. All meetings are open to the public. During each meeting, a time is set for the Council to receive public comments.

BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages more land–264 million surface acres–than any other federal agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, which has a budget of $1.4 billion and a workforce of 8,700 employees, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. BLM preserves open space by managing the public lands for multiple uses, including outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, and mining, and conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources found on the public lands.

Following is a complete membership list of Colorado’s RAC members.

BLM Colorado Resource Advisory Councils

Names in bold type are new or reappointed members.