For Immediate Release                             Jaime Gardner        303-239-3681          

March 19, 2008                                         Melodie Lloyd         970-244-3097           

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking nominations to fill upcoming vacancies on three Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) in Colorado. Nominations are being accepted through April 14, 2008, to fill the positions of several members whose terms of appointment will expire this August.

 

The councils provide advice and recommendations to BLM on the use and management of 8.3 million acres of public lands in the State. In 1995, BLM established councils in Colorado representing three geographic areas: Northwest, Southwest, and Front Range. The RACs enable citizens to have a meaningful say in how public lands are managed. Members give advice to BLM on the broad array of resource, social, and economic issues that confront land managers and local communities.

 

Colorado State Director Sally Wisely appreciates the contributions made by current and previous members. “RAC members represent a broad array of backgrounds, interests, and experience,” said Wisely. “With BLM’s diverse responsibilities, RAC members have opportunities to advise us on challenging and complex issues.”

 

The councils operate on principles of collaboration and consensus. Members are sought who are committed to working together with other interests for the long-term benefit of public lands and the people who enjoy and rely on them. “I can’t emphasize enough what effective partners the Colorado RACs have been in helping resolve public land issues that affect the quality of life throughout the State,” Wisely said.

 

Council members must be residents of Colorado. Each year, one-third of the membership is up for renewal or replacement. Terms are for three years. Each council consists of 15 members, selectively balanced and representative of three general interest groups:

 

Group 1 - holders of federal grazing permits/leases; representatives of mining, timber, off-road vehicle use, and commercial recreation;

 

Group 2 - representatives of recognized national or regional environmental or resource conservation organizations; archeological and historical interests; wild horse and burro groups; and dispersed recreational activities;

 

Group 3 - State, county, or local elected officials; employees of State agencies responsible for management of natural resources, land or water; representatives of Indian tribes; academicians involved in natural sciences, and the public at large.

 

Colorado’s Northwest RAC, Southwest RAC, and Front Range RAC have vacancies in all three categories.

 

Qualifications for RAC membership are based on the nominee’s:

BLM provides training on resource science and management issues to all council members. Members serve without monetary compensation, but are reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses.

 

Members are expected to attend RAC meetings called by the designated federal officer. Meetings usually occur no more often than every other month. Location of the meetings can vary throughout the state, and may include tours. Meetings will normally be held Monday through Friday, and may last more than one day.

 

Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Letters of reference from the interests or organizations the nominee wishes to represent must accompany the nomination form. In addition, each nominee must submit a completed Background Information Nomination Form and should have a demonstrated commitment to collaborative resource decision-making.

 

The nomination period will close on April 14, 2008, as announced in the Federal Register on February 28. Application forms and additional information can be found at www.blm.gov/co/st/en/BLM_Resources/racs.html.

 

For additional information, please contact:

BLM Northwest RAC, Attention: David Boyd, e-mail david_boyd@blm.gov

50629 Hwy 6 & 24, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 (Phone 970.947.2832)

 

BLM Southwest RAC, Attention: Melodie Lloyd, e-mail melodie_lloyd@blm.gov

2815 H Rd., Grand Junction, CO 81506 (Phone 970.244.3097)

 

BLM Front Range RAC, Attention: John Dow, e-mail john_dow@blm.gov

3028 E. Main St., Canon City, CO 81212 (Phone 719.269.8559)

 

BLM Colorado State Office, Attention: Jaime Gardner, e-mail jaime_gardner@blm.gov

2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO 80215 (Phone 303.239.3681)

 

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