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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Oregon and Washington is seeking public nominations for open positions on its four Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), which advise the BLM on public land issues. The BLM will consider nominations until March 14, 2013. The BLM's RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of more than 245 million acres of public lands. The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 29 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10-15 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 each 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. “Each of the RACs lend their unique combination of geographic and resource expertise to inform the BLM's decisions," said Acting BLM Director Mike Pool. “The members of our RACs help our field offices by acting as sounding boards in all types of resource management issues. They are a tremendous resource for field managers across the West." Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on an advisory council. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, will be judged 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 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. Each of the RACs has different positions open in the following categories: 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. BLM Oregon/Washington is looking to fill the following vacancies: RAC Category One Vacancies Category Two Vacancies Category Three Vacancies Eastern Washington 2 1 John Day-Snake 3 2 2 Southeast Oregon 2 1 1 Nominations for the Steens Mountain Advisory Council are being accepted for: 1) a person interested in fish and recreational fishing in the Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA); 2) a representative of a State environmental organization; 3) a recreation permit holder or representative of a commercial recreation operation in the CMPA; 4) a private landowner within the CMPA 5) a member and representative of the Burns Paiute Tribe; and 6) a representative of the State government to serve as a liaison to the advisory council. Nominations must be received by March 14, 2013, and should be sent to the District RAC coordinator: Spokane District Office (Eastern Washington RAC) Bureau of Land Management 1103 N. Fancher Road Spokane Valley, Washington 99212 Attention: Robert St. Clair, RAC Coordinator, email rstclair@blm.gov, phone (509) 536-1200 Vale District Office (John Day-Snake RAC) Bureau of Land Management 100 Oregon Street Vale, Oregon 97918 Attention: Mark Wilkening, RAC Coordinator, email mwilkeni@blm.gov, phone (541) 473-6218 Burns District Office (Southeast Oregon RAC and Steens Mountain Advisory Council) Bureau of Land Management 28910 Hwy 20 West Hines, Oregon 97738 Attention: Tara Martinak, RAC Coordinator, email tmartina@blm.gov, phone (541) 573-4519. To learn more about BLM Oregon/Washington RACs and to access the nomination form, visit blm.gov/or/rac.