BLM California Desert District Announces Appointments to Desert Advisory Council to Advise Agency on Balanced Management of Nation's Public Lands
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced new appointments or reappointments of members to the California Desert District citizen-based Desert Advisory Council (DAC) which advises the agency on over 10 million acres of southern California desert public land management issues. The DAC is composed of members with diverse interests and backgrounds.
"By working with Federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as leaders from industry and the conservation community, the Resource Advisory Councils exemplify the BLM's collaborative approach to public land issues," said BLM State Director, Jerry Perez. "I want to welcome our newly appointed DAC members and salute them for their commitment to public service."
Resource Advisory Councils, such as the DAC, are composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues and help the BLM carry out its nation-wide stewardship of 245 million acres – the largest land portfolio of any Federal agency. The BLM has established 29 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.
Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members who represent stakeholder interests in public land management, such as conservationists, outdoor recreationists, ranchers, industry officials, tribal leaders, state and local government officers, academics, and others.
The BLM, an agency of the Interior Department, is responsible for managing various uses – such as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production – while conserving the land’s natural, historical, and cultural resources.
Below are the newly appointed or newly re-appointed members of the BLM California Desert District Advisory Council which will next meet on March 4-5, 2016 in Palm Desert, Calif.:
- John Benoit (elected official)
- Nathan Francis (non-renewable resources)
- Robert Robinson (public-at large/tribal interests)
- Billy Mitchell (renewable resources / grazing interests)
- Randy Banis (recreation) reappointment
- Al Muth (wildlife) reappointment
- Robert Burke (public-at-large) reappointment
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.