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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced it is seeking public nominations for positions on 31 Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) nationwide. These citizen-based committees assist in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues. Applications are due by June 14, 2019.

The BLM maintains 38 such advisory committees formally chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Federal Policy and Land Management Act (FLPMA) across the West.  Of those committees, 31 are RACs and the remainder site or subject-specific Advisory Councils. 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.

RACs 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 herd management issues.

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 must accompany all nominations from any represented interests or organizations, a completed RAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

Each of the 31 RACs 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; wild horse and burros 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 RACs in Nevada with vacancies are:

• The Mojave-Southern Great Basin, which serves Esmeralda, Nye, Lincoln and Clark counties. This RAC holds meetings in the Las Vegas, Pahrump, Ely, and Tonopah areas;
• The Northeastern Great Basin, which serves Elko, White Pine, Lander and Eureka counties. This RAC holds meetings in the Elko, Eureka, and Ely areas;

The open positions for each RAC are below:

Mojave-Southern Great Basin

• Archaeology & Historical Interests
• Environmental Organizations
• Academic
• Elected Official

Northeastern Great Basin

• Federal Grazing
• Energy/Minerals
• Transportation/ROW
• Permitted Recreation
• Environment/Wildlife
• Archaeology
• Wild Horses and Burros
• Dispersed Recreation
• State Agency

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominations should be made on the appropriate nomination form, which is available at any BLM office, or on the internet at https://on.doi.gov/2otqGN6. Nominees must be a resident of Nevada. Nominees will be considered 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 resource decision-making.

All nominations must include letters of reference from the represented interests or organizations; a completed nomination form; and any other information that addresses the nominee's qualifications. All nominations will be given full consideration.

The councils meet several times a year and provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM district managers and the state director, on management of the public lands within the council’s geographic area. There is also a meeting of all three RACs held once a year.

Completed nominations for the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC positions should be mailed to:

• Kirsten Cannon
• k1cannon@blm.gov
• BLM Southern Nevada District Office
• 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130
• Phone: 702-515-5057

Completed nominations for the Northeastern Great Basin RAC positions should be mailed to:

• Kyle Hendrix
• khendrix@blm.gov
• BLM Battle Mountain District Office
• 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820
• Phone: 775-635-4054

Additional information about the BLM Nevada RACs is available at https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-me/nevada. For more information, please contact the appropriate RAC coordinator listed above.