The Dakotas Resource Advisory Council (RAC) is an official federal advisory committee providing expert guidance on the management of public lands in North and South Dakota.

The RAC generates solutions to public-land issues and provides opportunities for public participation in land-management decisions at the local and state level. Conflict resolution is stimulated by open discussion and collaboration rather than formal appeal or litigation.

The Secretary of the Interior appoints citizens to staggered, three year terms, with one-third of the members subject to appointment--or reappointment--each year. Appointees are selected from a list generated by an annual public nomination process.

Membership is balanced by area of expertise, geographic locality, point of view, and embraces the following categories:

• Five members represent holders of Federal grazing permits, interests associated with transportation rights-of-way, commercial timber industry, and energy & mineral development;



• Five members represent regionally & nationally recognized environmental organizations, dispersed recreational activities, and archeological & historical interests;



• Five members hold state, county, or local elected office, are employed by a state agency responsible for management of natural resources, represent Indian tribes, are employed as academicians in natural resource management or the natural sciences, or represent the public at large.

The Dakotas RAC helped develop BLM's Grazing Standards and Guidelines. They are presently reviewing Travel Management Standards and Guidelines, which includes regulation of off-highway motorized travel.

Council meetings are held two to three times per year, alternating between locations in North and South Dakota. Field trips are often included. Douglas Burger, Manager of the North Dakota Field Office, serves as the Designated Federal Official and hosts RAC meetings.