BLM Alaska announces new additions to Resource Advisory Council
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ANCHORAGE – The Bureau of Land Management Alaska welcomes the addition of seven new Resource Advisory Council (RAC) Members. Final approval letters were sent from the Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, in June appointing the members to three-year terms.
RACs were created as a way for locals to give direct input on BLM policies in their home states. Membership is diverse and includes representation from three main categories; more specifically, members may represent recreation, energy and minerals, Alaska Native interests, historical and archaeological, and environmental sectors. Their work is expected to serve public interest.
Two of the seven RAC members are reappointed from previous terms; representing Energy and Minerals interests are Stan Foo recommended by the Alaska Miners Association and placer miner Bronk Jorgensen recommended by the Fortymile Mining District. Rounding out the Energy and Minerals interests is first-time appointee John Schell, recommended and employed by ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. as the Manager of Land and Business Development. Other first-time appointees are: Rada Khadjinova, a Certified Environmental Regulation and Permitting Specialist with a local geotechnical, survey, and subsea service company, will represent Rights-of-Way and Transportation; long-time Haines resident Jessie Badger who comes from a family of loggers, miners and commercial fishers and will represent Outdoor and Commercial Recreation/OHV use; avid outdoorsman, local guide and Cantwell resident, Justin Mason will represent Dispersed Recreation interests; and Jusdi Doucet will bring a State of Alaska perspective from her position as the Deputy Director of Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of individuals and gathering vital feedback on the important planning efforts BLM Alaska undertakes,” said State Director Chad Padgett. “All of these RAC members live and work in Alaska and will provide those Alaska specific perspectives from the many uses our public lands can offer.”
Members will serve three-year terms while working to collaborate with each other to offer solutions to Alaska’s complex land management challenges. The new members are a result of recruiting efforts conducted in 2019. Recruitment for 2020 nominations concluded in February and 2021 nominations will be accepted in January.
You can find more information about the BLM Alaska RAC online or contact Melinda Bolton, BLM Alaska RAC Coordinator at (907) 271-3342 or at mbolton@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.