The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for five positions on BLM’s Alaska Resource Advisory Council, which advises the BLM on public land issues. As published in a Federal Register notice on March 18, 2016, the BLM will accept nominations for 45 days. The nomination period ends May 2, 2016.
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 Alaska RAC consists of 15 members with an interest or expertise in public land management and includes such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, tribal officials and academics.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees, who must be residents of the state where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be evaluated 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.
Alaska has five positions open in the following categories:
· Category One (two positions) – 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 (two positions) – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities and wild horse and burro organizations.
· Category Three (one position) – 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.
To learn more about the BLM Alaska RAC and download an application, visit http://www.blm.gov/ak/rac or contact Thom Jennings, RAC Coordinator, at tjenning@blm.gov or (907) 271-3335.
