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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District announces that it is seeking public nominations for one position on its Resource Advisory Council (RAC), which advises the BLM on public land issues within the Las Cruces District.  As advertised in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations until May 30, 2017.

The RAC, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, helps the Las Cruces District carry out its stewardship of more than 5.4 million acres of public lands.  The RAC consists of 10 members with an interest or expertise 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 the RAC helps ensure that BLM land managers get the varying perspectives they need to achieve their mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

“The BLM Resource Advisory Councils are an important forum for the community conversation that is a key component of public land management,” said BLM Las Cruces District Manager Bill Childress.  “By ensuring that RAC representation reflects a variety of perspectives, RAC members provide a valuable service to the Bureau by delving into issues and proposing solutions on a wide variety of land and resource uses issues.”

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council.  Nominees, who must be residents of the State of New Mexico, will be judged based on their training, education, and knowledge of the RAC’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 RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

On the Las Cruces District RAC, there is currently one 3-year vacancy in Category three, representing the Elected Official.  The categories represent the following interests:

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.

To receive an application, contact Las Cruces District RAC Coordinator Deborah Stevens at (575) 525-4421 or by e-mail at desteven@blm.gov.  You can also download the application at: https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/apply.  The deadline for submitting nominations is May 30, 2017.  Individuals may submit their signed applications by either email to the above e-mail address or by mail to the Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District Office, Attn: RAC Coordinator Deborah Stevens, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005.