Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC)

The Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC) is a 15-member statewide advisory council, which provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on resource and land management issues for approximately 12.1 million acres of federal surface and 36 million acres of subsurface mineral estate in Arizona.

People in a conference room seated around a table.
Arizona Resource Advisory Council Meeting

The purpose of the Resource Advisory Council is to enable Arizona citizens to have a meaningful say in how public lands are managed. RAC members are selected for their ability to provide informed, objective advice on a variety of public land issues, and their commitment to collaboration in seeking solutions to those issues.

Council members serve three-year terms on a staggered basis. This means that one-third of the council is subject to appointment or reappointment each year.

The RAC meets quarterly. Members serve without salary but are reimbursed for travel expenses.

 

If you or someone you know would like information about serving on the council, contact BLM Arizona's RAC Coordinator:

Dolores Garcia
Phone: 602-417-9241
Email: dagarcia@blm.gov
Address: One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, Arizona 85004

RAC Members

[ * - Newly Appointed Member - 14 Members Appointed September 2023]

Category 1: Commercial/Commodity Interests

Name

Representing

Residence

Term

Bill Brake (RAC chair)  Federal Grazing Permits/Leases Sonoita 09/2026 *
John (JC) Sanders         Outdoor Recreation (Developed) Bouse 09/2026 *
Steve M. Trussell Energy & Minerals Development Tempe 09/2026 *
Allison P. Ellingson Transportation & Rights-of-Way Topock 09/2026 *
Paul J. Baumgardt Transportation & Rights-of-Way Anthem 09/2026 *

 

Category 2: Environmental, Dispersed Recreation, Archaeological/Historic, Wild Horse & Burro Interests

Name

Representing

Residence

Term

Sharma Torrens Environmental Organization Phoenix 09/2026 *
Michael E. Quigley Environmental Organization Tucson 09/2026 *
Eileen K. Baden Dispersed Recreation New River 09/2026 *
Aaron K. Divine Dispersed Recreation Flagstaff 09/2026 *
Jill Bunnell Dispersed Recreation Phoenix 09/2026 *

 

Category 3: Elected Officials, Native American, Public-at-Large, Academia, State and Local Government Officials

Name

Representing

Residence

Term

Larry Howery, Ph.D. Academia Tucson 02/2025 
Robert D. Broscheid State Agency - Natural Resources  Peoria 09/2026 *
Julie J. Engle Public-at-Large Yuma 09/2026 *
Paul R. David Elected Official  Safford 09/2026 *
Patrice M. Horstman Elected Official Flagstaff 09/2026 *

Governor's Representative

Clay Crowder, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Designated Federal Official 

Ray Suazo, BLM Arizona State Director


 

RAC Contact

RAC Coordinator: Dolores Garcia

Phone: 602-417-9241

Email: dagarcia@blm.gov


RAC Resources

RAC Charter [Updated 11/2023]


Meetings

Upcoming Meeting(s): 

October 29-30, 2024 [In-person meeting with virtual option]

December 11-12, 2024 [In-person meeting with virtual option]

  • Agenda
  • Virtual Meeting Registration

Last Meeting Held: 

April 24-25, 2024

July 16, 2024; 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. [Virtual ONLY]


RAC Nominations

Call for nominations: CLOSED 

Resource Advisory Council Application (Expires 2025)

Nomination Status
  • 2020 Nominations - Appointed March 2022
  • 2021 Nominations - Partial Appointments 
  • 2022 Nominations - Appointed Sept 2023

RAC Meeting Minutes

2024

2021

2020

2019

2018

2016

2015