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The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for positions on two Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) in Montana and the Dakotas. These citizen-based councils assist in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues. 

The Western Montana RAC covers BLM lands in the western third of the state, and the Missouri Basin RAC encompasses BLM lands in the eastern two-thirds of Montana and the Dakotas.  

The BLM maintains RACs chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Federal Policy and Land Management Act (FLPMA) 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 BLM Acting State Director Theresa Hanley. “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, 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 a RAC. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, 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, a completed RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications. 

Both RACs have 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; 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.  

As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will accept nominations until Feb. 11, 2022.   

For more information and an application, go to https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council. For questions about the Missouri Basin RAC, contact Mark Jacobsen, mjacobse@blm.gov, 406-233-2831, or Gina Baltrusch, rbaltrusch@blm.gov, 406-791-7778. For questions about the Western Montana RAC, contact David Abrams, dabrams@blm.gov, 406-533-7617.