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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management today announced that it is seeking public nominations for open positions on 34 Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), which advise the BLM on public land issues.  As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 45 days. The BLM’s Northwest and Southwest Colorado districts are seeking public nominations for 10 open positions on their Resource Advisory Councils.

The BLM’s RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands.  The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 39 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.  Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members 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 each 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.

“The BLM Resource Advisory Councils are an important forum for the community conversation that is a key component of public land management,” said BLM Director Neil Kornze.  “With representatives with different land use perspectives, the RACs give community members an opportunity to dig into local issues and explore possible solutions.”

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council.  Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’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 RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

Each of the 34 RACs has different positions open in the following 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.

In the Northwest District, five positions are open, including one position in Category One, two positions in Category Two, and two positions in Category Three.  Nominations for the Northwest District RAC (Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, Kremmling, Little Snake and White River field offices) must be submitted by May 2 to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Chris Joyner, 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506. Additional requirements can be found at the BLM website or by calling Joyner at 970-210-2126.

In the Southwest District, five positions are open including two Category One positions, one Category Two position, and two Category Three positions. Nominations for the Southwest District (Gunnison, Tres Rios and Uncompahgre Field Offices) RAC must be submitted by May 2 to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: Shannon Borders, 2465 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401.  Additional requirements can be found by going to the BLM website or by calling Borders at 970-240-5399.