BLM-Alaska Announces New Resource Advisory Council Appointments
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ANCHORAGE – Six Alaskans have been appointed to fill vacancies on the 15-member Bureau of Land Management Alaska Resource Advisory Council (RAC), which advises the BLM on public land management issues.
The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils, composed of citizens chosen for their knowledge of natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. Each are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.
Stanley Foo of Eagle River and Gary Morrison of Wrangell were appointed as representatives of Energy and Mineral interests. Pollack (PJ) Simon, Jr. of Allakaket will represent Environmental Organization interests and Mark Billingsley of Fairbanks will represent Dispersed Recreation. Brennan Cain of Anchorage will represent Alaska Native interests and John Hopson, Jr., the Mayor of Wainwright, will represent Elected Government Officials. All six appointee’s terms commenced on October 2, 2015 and will continue for three years.
Vacancies occur every year, and anyone interested in providing feedback to the BLM on public lands and natural resource management is encouraged to apply. Nomination opportunities will be announced in the spring of 2016 when the BLM in Alaska will seek two volunteers to represent commercial outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, energy and mineral development or transportation and rights-of-way activities.
There will also be two openings for candidates that wish to represent recognized environmental organizations, dispersed recreational activities, or archaeological and historical interests. Finally, one individual will be sought to represent State or local elected office, a State of Alaska department managing natural resources, Alaska Native groups or organizations, academicians in natural sciences or resource management, or the public-at-large.
For more information about the BLM-Alaska RAC and its meetings, go to http://www.blm.gov/ak/rac.
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.