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Medford, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it is seeking public nominations for vacant positions and positions that will become vacant on its Western Oregon Resource Advisory Council Resource Advisory Council (RAC).

The Western Oregon RAC provides advice and recommendations on all aspects of public land management, including Secure Rural Schools Community Self-Determination Act Title II recommendations, to the BLM’s Coos Bay, Medford, Roseburg, and Northwest Oregon Districts as well as part of the Lakeview District.

As posted in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations until April 4, 2022.

The Western Oregon RAC, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, helps the BLM carry out its stewardship of more than three million acres of public lands. The Western Oregon RAC consists of 15 members serving three-year terms with an interest or expertise in public land management, including such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal officials, and academics. The diverse membership of the Western Oregon RAC helps ensure that BLM land managers get the varying perspectives they need to achieve their mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on the Western Oregon RAC. Nominees, who must be residents of the State of Oregon, will be selected based on their training, education, and knowledge of the Western Oregon RAC’s geographical area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. All nominations must be accompanied by letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations, a completed Western Oregon RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

If individuals have already applied in 2020 or 2021, and your nomination is still being considered, you do not need to reapply.

The descriptions for Western Oregon RAC positions are as follows:

Category One – Representatives of energy and mineral development (with a special emphasis on transportation or rights-of-way interests); the commercial timber industry; organized labor or non-timber forest product harvester groups; developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities; or hold Federal grazing or other land permits or represent non-industrial private forest landowners.

Category Two – Representatives of nationally recognized environmental organizations; regionally or locally recognized environmental organizations; dispersed recreational activities; archaeological and historical interests; or nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups, wildlife or hunting organizations, or watershed associations.

Category Three – Individuals that hold State elected office; hold county or local elected office; represent Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the Council is organized; are school officials or teachers with knowledge in natural resource management or the natural sciences; or represent the affected public-at-large, and/or be employed by a State agency responsible for the management of natural resources, land, or water.

Learn more about the Western Oregon RAC at: www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/western-oregon-rac.

To receive an application, contact Western Oregon RAC Coordinator Kyle Sullivan at (541) 618-2340 or by email at ksullivan@blm.gov. Individuals can also download the application at: www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/apply.

The deadline for submitting nominations is April 4, 2022.

Individuals may submit their signed application and letter of recommendation by either email to the above email address or by mail to the BLM, Medford District Office, Attention: Resource Advisory Council Coordinator Kyle Sullivan, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504.