BLM NEWS RELEASE
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Nevada announced today that it is extending the public call for nominations for ten open positions on its three Nevada Resource Advisory Councils, which advises the agency on public land issues. The BLM will accept nominations until July 8, 2011.
The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils (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 28 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists 12 to 15 members with an interest 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 is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.
“I value the advice given to the BLM by these citizen-based Resource Advisory Committees, and I know that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar shares my view of their importance,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “The people who live, work, and recreate near or on BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice on public land issues, and their input will enhance our agency’s ability to manage the public lands for multiple uses while conserving resources for future generations.”
The three RACs in Nevada are the Mojave-Southern Great Basin, which serves Esmeralda, Nye, Lincoln and Clark counties; the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin, which serves Washoe, Humboldt, Pershing, Churchill, Storey, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral and Carson City counties; and the Northeastern Great Basin, which serves Elko, White Pine, Lander and Eureka counties. Nominees should live within the geographical area encompassed by the RAC they are applying to represent.
The positions open for appointment on the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC are:
· one representative who holds a Federal grazing permit or leases and represents permittees or lessees
· one representative of interests associated with transportation or rights-of-way
· one representative employed by a Nevada State agency responsible for the management of natural resources, land, or water
Completed nominations for the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC positions should be forwarded to Chris Hanefeld, BLM Ely District Office, 702 North Industrial Way, HC 33 Box 33500, Ely, NV 89301. Phone number is 775-289-1842. This RAC holds meetings in the Las Vegas, Pahrump, Ely and Tonopah areas.
The positions open for appointment on the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin RAC are:
· one representative employed by a Nevada State agency responsible for the management of natural resources, land, or water
· one representative employed as an academician in natural resource management or natural sciences;
· one representative from a nationally or regionally recognized wildlife organization
· one representative who holds a Federal grazing permit or leases and represents permittees or lessees
· one representative of Indian tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized
Completed nominations for the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin RAC positions should be forwarded to Lisa Ross, BLM Winnemucca District Office, 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd. Winnemucca, NV 89445. The phone number is 775-623-1541. This RAC holds meetings in the Carson City and Winnemucca areas.
The positions open for appointment on the Northeastern Great Basin RAC are:
· one representative who holds a Federal grazing permit or leases and represents permittees or lessees
· one representative of interests associated with transportation or rights-of-way
Completed nominations for the Northeastern Great Basin RAC positions should be forwarded to Lesli Ellis-Wouters, BLM Elko District Office, 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801. The phone number is 775-753-0386. This RAC holds meetings in Elko, Eureka and Ely 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 on the internet at www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/res/resource_advisory.html. Nominees must be a resident of Nevada. Nominees will be selected 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 resource decision-making. All nominations must include letters of reference from the represented interests or organizations; a completed nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.
The councils meet several times a year, usually quarterly, 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. It has been the practice in Nevada to hold one joint meeting of all three Nevada RACs every year.
For questions about the RACs or the application process, or to request a nomination form, contact the district offices listed above, or the Nevada State Office at 775-861-6588.
