BLM seeks nominations to Rio Puerco Management Committee
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it is seeking public nominations for positions on the Rio Puerco Management Committee. This citizen-based committee will assist in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues within the area.
The Committee, which is formally chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on the development and implementation of management plans in accordance with title IV, section 401(b) of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, as amended by section 2501of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, and title I, subpart B section 1122 of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.
BLM advisory committees have successfully demonstrated that consensus-driven recommendations often lead to sustainable outcomes that benefit long-term public land planning and management. This inclusive approach has proven to be successful and provide outcomes that enjoys high levels of public support.
“The BLM Rio Puerco Management Committee will be an important forum that provides for community conversation and input into key components of public land management in this office,” said BLM Albuquerque District Manager Sabrina Flores. “By ensuring that committee representation reflects a variety of perspectives, members will provide a valuable service to the watersheds managed by the Bureau. The Committee will dive into matters and proposed solutions on a wide variety of land and resource issues.”
The committee consists of 15 members, including one representative from each of the following:
- Rio Puerco Watershed Committee
- Affected Tribes and Pueblos
- U.S. Forest Service
- Bureau of Reclamation
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- State of New Mexico (including the New Mexico Environment Department of the State Engineer)
- Affected local soil and water conservation districts
- Elephant Butte Irrigation District
- Private landowner
- Public-at-large.
Nominations are needed for all committee positions listed above.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on the Committee. Nominees must be residents of the state and will be reviewed based on their training, education, and knowledge of the committee’s geographic area. Nominees will also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. Letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations should accompany all nominations. Nominees should also submit a completed RAC application and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.
As published in a notice in today’s Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 30 days, until Nov. 24. For more information, or to receive an application, contact Jamie Garcia at jagarcia@blm.gov or 505-761-8787. You can also download the application at: https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/new-mexico/rio-puerco-management-committee.
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.