CHARTER

 

1.   OFFICIAL DESIGNATION: Utah Resource Advisory Council.

 

2.   COUNCIL OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE: Provide representative citizen counsel and advice to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) through the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Designated Federal Officer (DFO) concerning the planning and management of the public land resources located within the geographic area of Utah.

3.   PERIOD OF TIME NECESSARY FOR THE COUNCIL'S ACTIVITIES: Since its functions are related to continuing the BLM responsibility for the management of public lands and resources within the geographical area of jurisdiction described above, the need for the Council is expected to continue indefinitely. However, Council continuation will be subject to periodic review and rechartering every 2 years as required by Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. Appendix.

 

4.   OFFICIAL TO WHOM THE COUNCIL REPORTS: The DFO to whom the Council reports is as follows: State Director, Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.

 

5.   ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT: Administrative support for activities of the Council will be provided by the office of the DFO.

 

6.   DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL: The members of the Council will serve in a solely advisory capacity to the DFO. Council duties and responsibilities are generally as follows:

 

a.       Develop recommendations for the BLM regarding the preparation, amendment, and implementation of land use plans for the public lands and resources within the jurisdiction of the Council. This may require the Council to, at the direction of the DFO, gather and analyze information, conduct studies and field examinations, hear public comments, and provide advice on the issues presented.

 

b.   Advise the BLM in identifying the geographic area for which standards and guidelines will be developed, and in developing and amending standards and guidelines, as necessary.

 

c.   Advise the BLM in developing recommendations for implementation of ecosystem management concepts, principles and programs, and assist the BLM in establishing landscape goals and objectives.

 

d.   Advise the BLM regarding working with local groups to develop and achieve resource management programs.

 

e.   Make recommendations on future Council model(s) and areas of jurisdiction that would best serve Utah.

 

f.    Except for the purpose of long-range planning and the establishment of resource management priorities, the Council will not provide advice on the allocation and expenditure of Federal funds or on personnel actions.

7.   COUNCIL COMPOSITION: Council members appointed by the Secretary will be representative of the following three general groups:  

 

a.   GROUP 1 - PERSONS WHO:

 

(i)      hold Federal grazing permits or leases and represent permittees or lessees within the area for which the Council is organized;

 

(ii)     represent organizations associated with transportation or rights-of-way;

 

(iii)    represent organizations associated with developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities;

 

(iv)    represent the commercial timber industry organizations; or

 

(v)     represent energy and mineral development organizations.

 

(i)      nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations;

 

(ii)     dispersed recreational activities users;

 

(iii)    archaeological and historical organizations; or

 

(iv)    nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro organizations.

 

(i)      represent and are an elected official of State, county, or local government;

 

(ii)     represent and are employed by a State agency responsible for the management of natural resources, land, or water;

     

      (iii)    represent Indian tribes within or adjacent to the Council’s jurisdiction;

 

(iv)    represent and are employed as academicians by a natural resource management or natural sciences organization; or

      (v)     represent the public-at-large within or adjacent to the Council’s jurisdiction.

 

b.   The Council will be comprised of 10-15 members distributed in a balanced fashion among the three interest groups as specified in paragraph 7a.of this charter.

 

c.   In appointing Council members from the three groups, the Secretary shall provide for a balanced and broad representation within each category.

 

8. ALLOWANCES FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS: Council members serve without salary, but will be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses when on Council business as authorized by Section 309(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, and

5 U.S.C. 5703.

9. ETHICS RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS: No Council or subcommittee member shall participate in any specific party matter including a lease, license, permit, contract, claim, agreement, or related litigation with the Department in which the member has a direct financial interest. As provided in 43 CFR 1784.2-2, members of the Council shall be required to disclose their direct or indirect interest in leases, licenses, permits, contracts, or claims that involve lands or resources administered by the BLM, or in any litigation related thereto. 

10. SUBGROUPS:  The Council, in consultation with the DFO, may form subgroups to provide input necessary to the successful functioning of the Council. Such subgroups can be formed, subject to the DFO’s approval, in response to a petition from local citizens or by the motion of the Council. Input by subgroups will be presented directly to the Council for its deliberation and consideration.

 

11. RECREATION FEE RECOMMENDATIONS: As required by Section 804 of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004, the Secretary may use the Council to provide advice and recommendations to the BLM and the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (FS) on recreation fee proposals of the two agencies. The FS Regional Forester, or his or her designee, will serve as an ex officio FS official to the Council for meetings when FS recreation fee issues are on the agenda. Recreation fee recommendations concerning the FS will be presented directly to the ex officio FS official.

12. QUORUM AND VOTING REQUIREMENTS: A majority of the Council members of each interest group must be present to constitute a quorum. To make a recommendation to the DFO requires an affirmative vote of the majority of the members from each interest group. Unanimous agreement of all Council members will be needed to forward a request to the Secretary as provided for under 43 CFR 1784.6-1(i).

13. ESTIMATED NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS: The Council will normally meet from two to four times annually, but in no case less than once. Additional meetings may be called by the DFO.

14. ESTIMATED OPERATING COSTS: Activities of the Council will require an estimated $50,000, which includes 4 work month of Federal employee support.

15. EXPIRATION DATE: The Council’s charter will expire 2 years from the date the charter is filed, unless, prior to that date, it is rechartered by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of Section 14(b) of FACA, 5 U.S.C. Appendix. The Council shall not meet or perform any functions without a valid current charter.

16. ADDITIONAL BLM REGULATIONS: The BLM is subject to additional standards and procedures for the creation, operation, and termination of BLM resource advisory committees. Refer to the 1995 amended BLM regulations (43 CFR 1784) for specific regulations regarding: composition (1784.6-1(c)); avoidance of conflict of interest (1784.2-2); calls for nominations (1784.6-1(e)); notice of meetings (1784.4-2); open meetings (1784.4-3); records (1784.5-3); and course of instruction for members (1784.-1(f)).

17.  AUTHORITY: Section 309 of FLPMA, as amended, 43 U.S.C. 1739.

 

 

 

 

_/s/Dirk Kempthorne_____________________________                  Sept. 11, 2007

Secretary of the Interior                                                                        Date Signed

 

 

 

 

Date Charter Filed