Resource Advisory Councils
Idaho has four RACs within its borders. The links listed on the right will lead you to information relating to each of the specific councils.
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 6, 2009
Contact: Heather Feeney, 208-373-4014
BLM SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR RESOURCE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Boise, ID – The Bureau of Land Management’s Idaho State Office is calling for public nominations for this year’s openings on its Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, and Coeur d’Alene Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) this year. The Coeur d’Alene RAC is also seeking nominations to fill a separate vacancy in its Elected Official position, following changes resulting from the 2008 election.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on RACs, which advise the BLM on issues concerning management of 11.8 million acres of public lands in Idaho. Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to collaborative resource decision making and must be residents of the area of Idaho for which the RAC has jurisdiction. Idaho state, county or local elected officials in the 11 counties covered by the Coeur d’Alene RAC are eligible to submit an application for the respective elected-official positions.
The BLM, which has 24 RACs across the West, will evaluate nominees based on their education, training, experience, and their knowledge of the geographical area of the RAC, and will consult with Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter prior to final consideration and appointment by the Secretary of Interior.
Nomination forms are available at each BLM District Office. The following must accompany all nominations: letters of reference from represented interests or organizations, a completed background information nomination form, and any other information that demonstrates the nominee's qualifications. Completed application packages must be submitted to the respective District in which the applicant resides. Idaho BLM District Office addresses can be obtained at http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en.html.
Nominations for the special Elected Official vacancy on the Coeur d’Alene RAC must be submitted by March 23, 2009. The BLM will consider nominations for the other, general vacancies on all four Idaho RACs until April 13, 2009, which is 45 days after the agency published a general notice about RAC openings in the Federal Register.
Each RAC is comprised of 15 members who are generally appointed for three-year terms and represent one of three general interest categories:
· Category 1 seeks members who are holders of federal grazing permits, representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use or commercial recreation.
· Category 2 is composed of representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historic organizations, dispersed recreation activities or wild horse and burro organizations.
· Category 3 consists of state, county or local elected officials; 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; academicians involved in natural sciences; or representatives of the public-at-large.
Boise District
· Category 1– two vacancies
· Category 2 –one vacancy
· Category 3 –two vacancies
Idaho Falls District
· Category 1 –two vacancies
· Category 2 –one vacancy
· Category 3 –two vacancies
Coeur d’Alene District
· Category 1 –one vacancy
· Category 2 –three vacancies
· Category 3 –two vacancies
(Although one of these positions will serve through September, 2010.)
Twin Falls District
· Category 1 –two vacancies
· Category 2 –one vacancy
· Category 3 –two vacancies
For additional information about RACs or the nomination process, please contact the RAC coordinator for each District:
The BLM manages more land – 256 million surface acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, and cultural resources on the public lands.
–BLM –
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