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The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for open positions on its 31 Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), which advise the BLM on public land issues. As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations until March 20. The BLM-Montana/Dakotas has vacancies on each of its four RACs: Western Montana, Central Montana, Eastern Montana and Dakotas. The BLM's RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the Bureau carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 31 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10to15 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. "As a land-management agency that carries out a multiple-use mission, the BLM seeks out and values diverse input from citizens who care about the stewardship of America's public lands," said BLM Montana/Dakotas State Director, Jamie Connell. "This input advances our efforts in managing uses of and protecting resources on the public lands." 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 31 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.A term on a RAC is for three years. Nominations for open positions on the four BLM-Montana/Dakotas RACs may be sent to:  Western Montana RAC: David Abrams, 106 N. Parkmont, Butte, MT, 59701, 406/533-7617 Central Montana RAC: Jonathan Moor, 920 NE Main Street, Lewistown, MT, 59457, 406/538-1943Eastern Montana RAC or Dakotas RAC: Mark Jacobsen, 111 Garryowen Road, Miles City, MT, 59301, 406/233-2831 More information is available at the BLM website. This site also includes a link to the background nomination form. Please also visit us on the web at www.blm.gov/mt. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BLMMontana, or follow us on Twitter @BLM_MTDKs.