BLM accepting applications for Resource Advisory Councils

The Bureau of Land Management is accepting nominations until June 22 to fill open positions on its three Resource Advisory Councils, citizen-based groups who make recommendations to the BLM about public land and resource management, including land-use planning, recreation, fire management, livestock grazing, and wild horse and burro herd management.

Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest in public land management. Members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to serve an initial three-year term and may be reappointed to serve additional three-year terms. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

Each of the RACs has different positions open in the following categories and interested persons can apply for any position:

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.

The three RACs in Nevada are Mojave-Southern Great Basin, which serves Esmeralda, Nye, Lincoln and Clark counties; Northeastern Great Basin, which serves Elko, White Pine, Lander and Eureka counties; Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin, which serves Washoe, Humboldt, Pershing, Churchill, Storey, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral and Carson counties. This RAC hold meetings in the Carson City and Winnemucca areas.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominations should be made on the appropriate nomination form, which is available at any BLM office, or at http://on.doi.gov/14tvwdE. Nominees must be a resident of Nevada. Nominees will be considered on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. All nominations must include letters of reference; a completed nomination form;

The councils meet several times a year and provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM district managers and the state director, on management of the public lands within the council’s geographic area. There’s also a meeting of all three RACs held once a year.

Completed nominations for positions can be mailed to Lisa Ross, lross@blm.gov, BLM Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City 89701.

For more information, call 775-885-6107, or go to http://bit.ly/BLMNVRACs.