News Release

For Release:  February 28, 2008      
Contact:  David Christy (916) 985-4474
CCNews-08-35

BLM Seeks Nominations to Central California Resource Advisory Council

The Bureau of Land Management in California announced today that it is seeking public nominations for advisory councils that advise the BLM on public land issues, including four open positions on its Central California Resource Advisory Council.

The BLM will receive nominations for 45 days, after today, when the agency is publishing its formal call for nominations in the Federal Register.

The four Central California RAC positions open are in the following categories:

Category One (one vacancy) – 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 vacancies) – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.

Category Three (one vacancy) – 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 should be sent by April 14 to David Christy, BLM Folsom Field Office, 63 Natoma St., Folsom, Calif. 95630. Call (916) 985-4474 or e-mail david_christy@ca.blm.gov.

Nomination forms are available on the web at http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/rac.html

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council.  Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be judged 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 background information nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee's qualifications.

The BLM’s resource advisory councils, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the bureau carry out its stewardship of 258 million acres of public lands.  The bureau, which manages more land than any other federal agency, has 24 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.  Each RAC consists of 12 to 15 members with an interest in public land management, including such individuals as ranchers, conservationists, 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 to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

– BLM –

Central California Public Affairs  63 Natoma Street  Folsom, CA  95630