WASHINGTON —The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for a new Federal advisory committee that will help inform how the Bureau implements the Public Lands Rule. The Committee will advise on outreach and engagement, best management practices, and the development and refinement of agency guidance to support implementation of the Rule across the country.

The Public Lands Rule provides the BLM with new tools and guidance to inform the balanced management of our natural resources. The Committee will allow the Bureau of Land Management to continue working with the public and a full range of experts to support successful implementation of the Rule, protecting our best and healthiest lands and waters, restoring those that need it, and making informed management and development decisions based on the best available science and data, including Indigenous Knowledge.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland recently signed the charter establishing the Committee and is seeking 15 members to serve two-year terms. The Committee will consist of:

• two representatives of Tribal governments;
• two representatives of State governments;
• one representative of local governments;
• two representatives of the public at large;
• at least one representative of the science community, including archaeological or historical interests;
• at least two representatives of non-governmental organizations specializing in environmental, conservation, or watershed interests; recreation interests; or hunting and fishing interests;
• at least one representative of energy or mineral development;
• at least one representative of Federal grazing permit holders or other permittees; and
• at least one representative of commercial recreation activities.

Additionally, the Secretary will appoint 15 alternates to deliberate and vote on Committee matters in the absence of the primary representative.

The 30-day nomination period is open until November 18, 2024. Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee’s qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make informed decisions to meet the membership requirements of the Committee, as well as appropriate contact information.

Nominees are strongly encouraged to include supporting letters from employers, associations, professional organizations, or other organizations that indicate support by those interest groups or communities they are representing.

Completed nomination packages or questions about the Committee should be emailed to BLM_PLR_IAC@blm.gov.

For more information about the nomination process, please contact Carrie Richardson, National Advisory Committee Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240; phone: (202) 742-0625, email: crichardson@blm.gov.

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for existing and upcoming member vacancies in nine Resource Advisory Councils. The Councils provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on local public land use planning and management within designated geographic areas. 

Each citizen-based Council generally consists of 10 to 15 members from diverse interests in local communities including ranchers, environmental groups, Tribes, state and local government officials, academics, and other public land users. 

Resource Advisory Councils across the West assist BLM by providing advice and recommendations on local public land use planning, fire management, off-highway vehicle use, recreation, oil and gas exploration, noxious weed management, grazing, wild horse and burro herd management, etc. 

Individuals may nominate themselves or others. The BLM will evaluate nominees based on 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 include 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 Resource Advisory Councils accepting nominations and their BLM contacts are:  

Arizona contact Dolores Garcia at dagarcia@blm.gov 

Central California contact Philip Oviatt at poviatt@blm.gov 

Northwest (Colorado) contact JD Emerson at jemerson@blm.gov 

Rocky Mountain (Colorado) contact Levi Spellman at lspellman@blm.gov 

Southwest (Colorado) contact D. Maggie Magee at dmagee@blm.gov 

Northern New Mexico contact Jamie Garcia at jagarcia@blm.gov 

Southern New Mexico contact Winifred Brown at wabrown@blm.gov 

Southeast Oregon contact Lisa McNee at lmcnee@blm.gov 

Western Oregon contact Megan Harper at m1harper@blm.gov 

For more information or to submit a nomination application, please email the designated Resource Advisory Council contact listed above. Nomination applications must be submitted by Nov. 15, 2024.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for positions that are or will soon become vacant on its California Desert District Advisory Council (DAC), Central California Resource Advisory Council (RAC), and the Northern California District Resource Advisory Council. A notice was also published in the Federal Register.

The councils consist of citizens with diverse interests in public land management, including conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal members, and energy industry representatives. The councils provide advice to the BLM on public land issues.

“Resource advisory councils assist the BLM with recommendations for a dynamic portfolio of programs from conservation to renewable energy,” said Acting BLM California State Director Gordon Toevs. “I appreciate our council members for their dedication and willingness to come together and provide advice on the BLM’s management decisions.”

The BLM, which manages more land than any other federal agency, has advisory councils located across the West. The diverse membership of each council 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 councils are critical in assisting the BLM in continuing to be a good neighbor in communities served by the bureau, providing advice and recommendations on issues including land use planning, fire management, off-highway vehicle use, recreation, oil and gas exploration, noxious weed management, grazing issues, and wild horse and burro management issues.

The descriptions for RAC positions are as follows:

• Category One – Holders of Federal grazing permits or leases within the area for which the RAC is organized; represent interests associated with transportation or rights-of-way; represent developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or commercial recreation activities; represent the commercial timber industry; or represent energy and mineral development.
• Category Two – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical interests, dispersed recreational activities, and nationally or regionally recognized wild horse and burro interest groups.
• Category Three – Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; employees of a state agency responsible for the management of natural resources, land, or water; representatives of Indian Tribes within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural resource management or the natural sciences; and the public-at-large.

Completed and signed applications, letters of reference, and any other information that addresses the nominee’s qualifications must be submitted by August 16. Candidates can download a copy of the nomination application online.

For more information about serving on a resource advisory council, please contact the applicable district representative shown below:

California Desert DAC:

Kate Miyamoto, Public Affairs Officer, BLM California Desert District Office, 1201 Bird Center Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262; phone: 760-883-8528; or email: kmiyamoto@blm.gov.

Central California RAC

Philip Oviatt, Acting Public Affairs Officer, BLM Bakersfield Field Office, 35126 McMurtrey Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308; phone: 661-432-4252; or email: poviatt@blm.gov.

Northern California RAC

Jeff Fontana, Public Affairs Officer, BLM Northern California District Office, 6640 Lockheed Dr., Redding, CA 96002; phone: 530-252-5332; or email: jfontana@blm.gov.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees must be residents of California and will be judged based on 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 nomination form; and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

More information about the RACs is available online.

The Bureau of Land Management’s Northwest and Southwest Colorado districts are seeking public nominations for 10 open positions on their Resource Advisory Councils, which advise the BLM on public land issues.

The BLM’s RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands.  The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 29 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.  Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest in public land management, including such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, 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, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

“Each of the RACs lend their unique combination of geographic and resource expertise to inform the BLM’s decisions,” said Acting BLM Director Mike Pool.  “The members of our RACs help our field offices by acting as sounding boards in all types of resource management issues.  They are a tremendous resource for field managers across the West.”

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 descriptions for RAC positions are as follows:

Category One – 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 – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.
Category Three – 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.

In the Northwest District, five positions are open, including one position in Category 1, two positions in Category 2 and two position in Category 3.  Nominations for the Northwest District RAC (Colorado River Valley, Grand Junction, Kremmling, Little Snake and White River field offices) must be submitted by March 14 to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn:  David Boyd, 2300 River Frontage Rd., Silt, CO 81652. Additional requirements and nomination forms can be found by going to the BLM website or by calling Boyd at 970-876-9008.

In the Southwest District, five positions are open including two Category 1 positions, one Category 2 position and two Category 3 positions. Nominations for the Southwest District (Gunnison, Tres Rios and Uncompahgre field offices) RAC must be submitted by Thursday, March 14 to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn:  Shannon Borders, 2465 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401.  Additional requirements and nomination forms can be found by going to the BLM website or by calling Borders at 970-240-5399.

The Bureau of Land Management California Desert District today announced it is seeking public nominations for positions on the Desert Advisory Council (DAC).  This citizen-based committee assists in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues within the California Desert District.   

The Committee, which is formally chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, provides recommendations to the BLM on public land issues.   

“The Desert Advisory Council assists the California Desert District with recommendations on a dynamic and wide range of programs from grazing to renewable energy,” said BLM California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch. “I appreciate our council members and their commitment of time and dedication to come together and provide their insight on the BLM’s management decisions.” 

The diverse membership of the DAC is critical in assisting the BLM in continuing to be a good neighbor in communities served by the Bureau, providing recommendations on issues including land use planning, fire management, off-highway vehicle use, recreation, noxious weed management, grazing issues, wild horse and burro management issues and more.   
 
The descriptions for DAC positions are as follows: 

• Category One – 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 – Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations. 

• Category Three – 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 DAC is organized; representatives and employees of academic institutions who are involved in natural sciences; and the public-at-large. 

Individuals are invited to self-nominate to serve on the DAC. Nominees, who must be residents of the state, will be reviewed based on their training, education and knowledge of the Committee’s geographic area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. Letters of reference from any represented interests or organizations should accompany the application and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications. 

As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 30 days until November 27. For more information, please contact California Desert District Public Affairs Officer Michelle Van Der Linden at mvanderlinden@blm.gov. 

REDDING, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for positions on the Northern California District Resource Advisory Council (RAC). This citizen-based council assists in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues within a district that encompasses public lands in the northern third of California.

The BLM maintains RACs chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Federal Policy and Land Management Act across the West. Each RAC consists of 10- to 15-members from diverse interests in local communities, and they assist in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues.

“Resource Advisory Councils provide the BLM with vital feedback on current issues, concerns, and proposals, and enable us to engage local communities and stakeholders to improve our management of public lands,” said Dereck Wilson, manager of the BLM Northern California District.  “Our goal is to ensure that the membership of every RAC encompasses a wide variety of perspectives and backgrounds to guide our work as effectively as possible.”

The BLM maintains RACs as a means of gaining expert advice, ideas, and diverse opinions on issues including land use planning, environmental issues, fire management, off-highway vehicle use, recreation, oil and gas exploration, noxious weed management, grazing issues, and wild horse and burro herd management issues. The RACs support the Bureau’s commitment to enhance the quality of life for all citizens through the balanced stewardship of America’s public lands and resources.   

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on the RAC. Nominees, for the Northern California District RAC must be residents of California or Nevada.  They will be reviewed based on their training, education, and knowledge of the RAC’s geographic area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. Letters of reference should accompany all nominations from any represented interests or organizations, along with a completed RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

The RAC is seeking nominations to fill four vacancies in the following categories:

• Category One – Representatives of organizations associated with energy/mineral development; Federal grazing permit holders; the timber industry; transportation or rights-of-way; off-highway vehicles users; and commercial and developed outdoor recreation.
• Category Two – Representatives of archeological and historic organizations; dispersed recreation users; wild horse and burro organizations; and nationally or regionally-recognized environmental organizations. 
• Category Three – Representatives of State, county, or local elected office; Indian Tribes located within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; academicians employed in natural resource management or natural sciences; employees of a state agency responsible for management of natural resources; and the public at large.

The BLM will consider nominations until Nov. 27.  For more information, please contact BLM Northern California District Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana at 530-260-0189, or by email at jfontana@blm.gov.