NEVADA STATE OFFICE NO. 2008-13
FOR RELEASE: February 28, 2008
CONTACT: Rochelle Ocava at 775-861-6588

BLM Solicits Nominations for Resource Advisory Councils

Nevada residents interested in the management and conservation of public lands have the opportunity to become directly involved in advising the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Nevada by serving on one of its three Resource Advisory Councils. Nominations will be accepted through April 14, 2008.

“I am impressed with the hard work and dedication of our RAC members, said Ron Wenker, BLM Nevada State Director. “We value the advice of the RACs. I urge all who are interested to apply for the openings available this year.”

The three RACs in Nevada are the Mojave-Southern Great Basin, which serves Esmeralda, Nye, Lincoln and Clark counties; the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin, which serves Washoe, Humboldt, Pershing, Churchill, Storey, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral and Carson City counties; and the Northeastern Great Basin, which serves Elko, White Pine, Lander and Eureka counties. Nominees should live within the geographical area encompassed by the RAC they are applying to represent.

The positions open for appointment on the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC are one representative who holds a Federal grazing permit or leases and represents permittees or lessees within the area served by the RAC; one representative of transportation or rights-of-way interests; one representative from the public-at-large; one representative or employee from one of the State of Nevada agencies responsible for management of natural resources; and one representative of a nationally or regionally recognized environmental organization.

Completed nominations for the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC positions should be forwarded to Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely Field Office, 702 North Industrial Way, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely Nevada 89301. Phone number is 775-289-1842. This RAC holds meetings in Las Vegas, and in Lincoln and Nye counties.

The positions for appointment on the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin RAC are one representative who holds Federal grazing permits or leases within the area for which the Council is organized; one representative of organizations associated with energy and mineral development; one representative from a nationally or regionally recognized environmental/wildlife organization; one representative employed by a State agency responsible for the management of natural resources, land, or water; and one representative employed as an academician in natural resource management or the natural sciences.

Completed nominations for the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin RAC positions should be forwarded to Mark Struble, BLM Carson City Field Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701. The phone number is 775-885-6107. This RAC holds meetings in the Carson City and Winnemucca areas.

The positions for appointment on the Northeastern Great Basin RAC are one representative who holds a Federal grazing permit or leases and represents permittees or lessees within the area for the area served by the RAC; one representative for transportation and rights-of-way; one representative from a wild horse interest group; one representative for recreation; and one representative representing academia who works or teaches at a college in Nevada.

Completed nominations for the Northeastern Great Basin RAC positions should be forwarded to Mike Brown, BLM Elko Field Office, 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801. The phone number is 775-753-0386. This RAC holds meetings in Northern Nevada.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Nominations should be made on the appropriate background information nomination form, which is available at any BLM office, or on the internet at www.blm.gov/nv. Nominees should have demonstrated a commitment to collaborative resource decision-making. All nominations must include letters of reference from the represented interests or organizations, a completed background information nomination form, as well as any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications. Nominees must be a resident of Nevada. Nominations are forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior who appoints members to serve three-year terms.

The councils meet several times a year, usually quarterly, and provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM field managers and the state director, on management of the public lands within the council’s geographic area. It has been the practice in Nevada to hold one joint meeting of all three Nevada RACs in late October or early November every year.

For questions about the RACs or the application process, or to request a nomination form, contact field offices listed above, or the Nevada State Office at 775-861-6588. 

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