BLM seeks members for McInnis Canyons NCA Advisory Council

GRAND JUNCTION, CO—The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations to fill ten positions on the Advisory Council for the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) and Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, a 123,300-acre natural resource gem located west of Grand Junction. Nominations are being accepted through October 14, 2005.

The McInnis Canyons NCA Advisory Council played a key role in assisting the BLM during the development of the NCA’s Resource Management Plan, which was finalized last year. Council members will continue to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior and BLM on implementing the RMP and effectively managing the area’s resources for the use and enjoyment of future generations.

Members are sought who are committed to working together with other broad interests for the long-term benefit of the McInnis Canyons NCA resources and those who enjoy and rely on them. Members serve without monetary compensation but are reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses. The Advisory Council meets 2-6 times per year, including field trips, and nominees can expect to commit 15-30 hours annually for meetings, field trips, document reviews and other involvement.

Membership categories are as follows:

· A member of, or nominated by, the Mesa County Board of County Commissioners.
· A member of, or nominated by, the Northwest Colorado Resource Advisory Council.
· A member nominated by the permittees holding grazing allotments within the NCA or the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness.
· Seven members residing in, or within reasonable proximity to, Mesa County, Colorado, with recognized backgrounds reflecting:

o The purposes for which the NCA or Wilderness was established; and
o The interests of the stakeholders that are affected by the management of the NCA and Wilderness.

Nomination forms may be obtained from the Grand Junction Field Office or online at
http://www.blm.gov/nhp/spotlight/state_info/highlights/co/. Complete nomination packets should be mailed to McInnis Canyons NCA Manager, BLM Grand Junction Field Office, 2815 H Rd., Grand Junction, CO 81506. Individuals may nominate themselves or others, and nomination packets should identify the specific category of interest in the nomination letter and form, as well as describe the knowledge and experience that qualify the individual for membership. Letters of reference from the interests or organizations the nominee wishes to represent must accompany the nomination form. All nominations will be forwarded to the Secretary for membership selection.

The nomination period closes on October 14, 2005 as announced in the Federal Register on September 14, 2005.

For additional information, please contact Paul Peck, McInnis Canyons NCA manager, at (970) 244-3049.

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