The Secretary of the Interior appoints citizens to staggered three-year terms on the Council. A list of potential appointees is generated by an annual public nomination process. 

Membership on the 15-member Dakotas RAC is balanced to reflect various interest and users of public lands. 

• 5 members representing commodity interests such as livestock grazing, timber, energy and mining, off-highway vehicle groups and developed recreation. 
• 5 members representing environmental organizations, historic & culture interests, wildlife organizations, wild horses & burros, and dispersed recreation. 
• 5 members representing elected officials, Tribes, state or other governmental agencies, academicians involved in natural sciences, and the public-at-large.

The Dakotas RAC meets from two to four times a year. Meeting locations alternate among locations in North and South Dakota. The North Dakota and South Dakota Field Managers serve as the co-Designated Federal Officials(DFO) at the meetings. 

Periodically, field trips are scheduled to various areas that are pertinent to a specific topic of discussion. All RAC meetings are open to the public and time is allotted at each meeting for the public to address the Council. Meeting minutes are available after each meeting, and will be posted on this website.