BLM Renews Call for Advisory Group Members
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received an insufficient number of applicants for positions on Resource Advisory Councils (RAC) in central and eastern Oregon during their earlier call for nominations. RAC members meet to advise and recommend management strategies for BLM and US Forest Service federal lands east of the Cascade Range. The John Day-Snake and Southeast Oregon RACs each have five terms expiring in September. This extended request for members closes on July 29, 2010.BLM Director Bob Abbey values the advice given to the BLM by these citizen-based groups, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has also underscored their importance. Abbey noted, “The people who live, work, and enjoy recreational activities on or near BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice on public land issues. Their input enhances our ability to manage public lands for multiple uses while conserving resources for future generations."Citizens who serve on the RACs come from a diverse array of backgrounds and interests to provide a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission of managing the public lands for multiple uses. Interest areas on the RAC include three categories:
- Category One -- Public land ranchers, and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation.
- Category Two -- Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.
- Category Three -- Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; representatives and employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Those who applied during the previous call for nominations will be considered together with those received during this renewed recruitment. They do not need to submit additional materials unless contacted by the BLM. Candidates must reside in the State where the council has jurisdiction.Nomination forms and additional information are available at your local BLM District Office, or online at blm.gov/or/rac/index.phpIndividuals can also contact BLM Public Affairs Officer, Pam Robbins, at P.O. Box 2965 Portland, Oregon, (503) 808-6306, or by email at: pam_robbins @ 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.