BLM Seeks Nominations to Monument Advisory Committee

— from Barbara Marrett, SJ Visitors Bureau —

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today announced it is seeking public nominations for four open positions on the San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC). The nomination period is open until May 26, 2017.

The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), of which the MAC is one, help the Bureau carry out its multiple-use mission and stewardship of 245 million acres of public lands. The Bureau, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 36 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest or expertise in energy and mineral development, ranching, outdoor recreation, conservation, state and local government, tribal and cultural resources, and academia. The diverse membership of each RAC helps ensure BLM land managers receive the varying perspectives they need to achieve their mission of managing the public lands for multiple uses.

“The BLM Advisory Councils are an important forum for the community conversation that is a key component of public land management,” said Jamie Connell, BLM Oregon-Washington State Director. “By ensuring that MAC representation reflects a variety of perspectives, MAC members provide a valuable service to the Bureau by delving into issues and proposing solutions on a wide variety of land and resource uses issues.”

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on the MAC. Nominees, who must be residents of Washington, will be reviewed on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the San Juan Islands. 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 MAC application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications.

The MAC is seeking nominees for positions representing the public-at-large, wildlife and ecological interests, cultural and heritage interests and recreation and tourism. For more information, please contact Monument Manager Marcia deChadenèdes at mdechade@blm.gov or (360) 468-3051.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.