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The Bureau of Land Management Alaska announces it is seeking public nominations for positions on its Resource Advisory Council (RAC). The Council is made up of 15 dedicated Alaska residents who, through consensus, will develop recommendations for State Director Chad Padgett on public land management policy.

The RAC was formally chartered by law under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Federal Policy and Land Management Act. The BLM Alaska RAC meets with the State Director 2 to 3 times each year in different locations across Alaska. Members are needed from various, and potentially opposing, interest groups. That diversity is truly reflective of the multiple use mission of the BLM, and it is critical to the RAC’s success. 

“No one knows Alaska better than the people who live, recreate, hunt, and work here,” said BLM Alaska State Director Chad Padgett. “The Bureau of Land management is looking for a few good Alaskans who will work across the table with other residents and make recommendations on how the BLM manages public lands in Alaska.”

The BLM Alaska RAC is an invaluable way of gaining resident expert advice, ideas, and diverse opinions on issues including land use planning, fire management, off-highway vehicle use, recreation, oil and gas exploration, noxious weed management, and Alaska Native issues. Speaking on behalf of their varied backgrounds, RAC members support the BLM's commitment to maintaining a shared conservation stewardship legacy in the communities it serves.

Alaskans may nominate themselves or others to serve on a RAC and nominees must be Alaska residents. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making. Letters of reference must accompany all nominations and completed RAC applications, as well as any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications. These esteemed positions will receive their final approval from the White House.

The RAC has different positions open 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; reindeer grazing groups, and nationally or regionally-recognized environmental organizations. 
• Category Three – Representatives of state, county, or local elected office; Alaska Native tribes, leaders of their Villages, Cities, or Corporations, located within or adjacent to the area for which the RAC is organized; academics employed in natural resource management or natural sciences; employees of a state agency responsible for management of natural resources; and the public at large.

As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 45 days (until February 24).  Nomination forms are located on the BLM’s website or for more information, contact Melinda Bolton, BLM Alaska RAC Coordinator at (907) 271-3342 or mbolton@blm.gov.