The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for its Northwest Colorado, Southwest Colorado, and Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) for existing and upcoming member vacancies in June 2021.
All RACs consist of 15 citizens with diverse interests in public land management, including conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, and energy industry representatives. The councils provide advice to the BLM on public land issues.
“The advice given to the BLM by these citizen-based Resource Advisory Councils is a vital part of the BLM’s collaborative approach to land management,” said BLM Colorado State Director Jamie Connell. “Citizen input enhances our agency’s ability to administer and conserve these lands for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations of Americans.”
The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has RACs located across the West. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.
RACs are critical in assisting the BLM in continuing to be a good neighbor in communities served by the Bureau, providing advice and recommendations on issues including land use planning, fire management, off-highway vehicle use, recreation, oil and gas exploration, noxious weed management, grazing issues, and wild horse and burro herd management issues.
The descriptions for RAC positions are as follows:
- 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.
Nominations must be submitted by (30 days after Federal Register notice publishes). To access the nomination application, go to http://ow.ly/iSks50EOMqr. For more information about serving on the Northwest Colorado RAC, contact Chris Maestas at 970-826-5101 or cjmaestas@blm.gov. For the Southwest Colorado RAC, contact Shawn Reinhardt at 970-240-5339 or sreinhardt@blm.gov. For the Rocky Mountain RAC, contact Brant Porter at 970-901-9581 or beporter@blm.gov.
More information about RACs is available at https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/colorado.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees will be judged based on 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 background information nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.