The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Nevada is extending the deadline for nominations for open positions on its three Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) until April 29. The formal call for nominations was published in the Federal Register today.
Resource Advisory Councils are citizen-based groups that make recommendations to the BLM regarding public land and resource management, including land-use planning, recreation, fire management, livestock grazing, and wild horse and burro herd management. The Bureau is looking for a diverse group of people representing industry, environmental organizations, historical and archaeological groups, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and the general public.
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 that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.
The three RACs in Nevada are:
- Mojave-Southern Great Basin, which serves Esmeralda, Nye, Lincoln and Clark counties. This RAC holds meetings in the Las Vegas, Pahrump, Ely, and Tonopah areas;
- Northeastern Great Basin, which serves Elko, White Pine, Lander and Eureka counties. This RAC holds meetings in the Elko, Eureka, and Ely areas;
- Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin, which serves Washoe, Humboldt, Pershing, Churchill, Storey, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral and Carson City 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 on the internet 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. 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 addresses the nominee’s qualifications. All nominations will be given full consideration.
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. It is the practice in Nevada to hold one joint meeting of all three Nevada RACs every year.
Completed nominations for the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC positions should be mailed to:
Chris Hanefeld
BLM Ely District Office
702 North Industrial Way, HC 33 Box 33500
Ely, NV 89301
Phone: 775-289-1842
Completed nominations for the Northeastern Great Basin RAC positions should be mailed to
Lesli Ellis-Wouters
BLM Elko District Office
3900 East Idaho Street
Elko, NV 89801
Phone: 775-753-0386
Completed nominations for the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin RAC positions should be mailed to:
Lisa Ross
BLM Carson City District Office
5665 Morgan Mill Road
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: 775-885-6107
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 775-861-6480.
