Amador County – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for three open positions on its Central California District Resource Advisory Council, which advises the bureau on public land issues.

Public Affairs official David Christy said BLM will consider nominations until May 2. BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils are “composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues” and they help the BLM “carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands.”

Christy said BLM “manages more land than any other Federal agency.” Each Council consists of 12-15 members with an interest in public land management, including such individuals as conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, tribal officials, and academics.

Diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at managing the public lands for multiple uses. The Central California RAC advises BLM officials for the Hollister, Mother Lode, Bakersfield and Bishop field offices.

BLM Director Bob Abbey said “people who live, work, and recreate near or on BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice on public land issues. Their input will enhance our agency’s ability to manage the public lands for multiple uses while conserving resources.”

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on a RAC. Nominees will be judged on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area.

Nominees should “demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making,” Christy said. Nomination forms and additional information are available on the BLM’s website. Three RAC positions open in the Central California District include two categories. Category One, with one open position, is open to “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, with two open positions,” is open to “representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations.”

For nomination info, call (916) 941-3146.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.