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Public nominations are being accepted for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Utah Resource Advisory Council (RAC). The BLM will be filling six positions -- five positions for members whose terms expire Jan. 6, 2015, and one position for a member whose term expires Apr. 11, 2015. Utah residents interested in the management and conservation of public lands have an opportunity to become directly involved through participation on the RAC. The BLM will consider nominations until Sept. 4, 2014.The BLM RACs are composed of citizens who are chosen for their expertise in natural resources issues to help the BLM carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. The Utah RAC consists of 15 members with a keen interest in public land management, including conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal officials, and academics. The diverse membership of the RAC is aimed at achieving the balanced outlook the BLM needs for its multiple-use mission."I value the advice given to the BLM by these citizen-based Resource Advisory Councils," said Juan Palma, BLM-Utah State Director. "The people who use and enjoy BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice on public land issues. Their input enhances our agency's ability to administer and conserve these lands for current and future generations of Americans."Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate description of the nominee's qualifications, including information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make an informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Committee and permit the Department of the Interior to contact a potential member. Nominees, who must be Utah residents, 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: 1) letters of reference (at least two) from any represented interests or organizations; 2) a completed RAC application form; and 3) any other information that speaks to the nominee's qualifications.The six positions open on the Utah RAC are in the following categories:* Two positions in 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.* One position in Category Two  -- Representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.* Three positions in 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.Fillable application forms are available online at: https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/UtahNominations should be emailed or postmarked by Sept. 4, 2014, to: Sherry Foot, Special Programs Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management, Utah State Office, 440 West 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101.For more information, please contact Sherry Foot at (801) 539-4195; fax: (801) 539-4013; email address: sfoot@blm.gov.The BLM consults with the Governor's Office before forwarding its recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior for a final decision. For additional information, please contact Sherry Foot at (801)539-4195. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question with the above individual. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.