BLM seeks nominations to the Idaho Resource Advisory Council
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BOISE, Idaho–The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for positions on the Idaho Resource Advisory Council (RAC). This citizen-based council assists in the development of recommendations that address public land management issues throughout the state of Idaho.
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.
“The Idaho Resource Advisory Council provides the BLM with vital feedback on current issues, concerns and proposals, which enable us to engage local communities and stakeholders to improve our management of public lands,” said BLM Idaho State Director Karen Kelleher. “Our goal is to ensure that the membership of our 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 Idaho RAC. Nominees must be residents of Idaho where the RAC has jurisdiction and will be reviewed based on their training, education, and knowledge of Idaho’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.
The RAC is seeking one nomination of a representative of state, county or local elected office needed to fill an upcoming vacancy. BLM Idaho may also accept nominations in other categories, where seats have not yet been appointed:
• 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 today’s Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations for 30 days until Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. For more information, please contact Idaho RAC Coordinator MJ Byrne at 208-373-4006 or mbyrne@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.