(Salt lake City, UT) - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is extending the deadline for nominations for five open positions on its Utah Resource Advisory Council (RAC) until June 4, 2012.

Resource Advisory Councils are citizen-based groups that make recommendations to the BLM regarding public land and resource management, including land-use planning, recreation, fire management, livestock grazing, and wild horse and burro herd management. The Bureau is looking for a diverse group of people representing industry, environmental organizations, historical and archaeological groups, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and the general public.

“Citizen-based recommendations from the Resource Advisory Councils enhance our ability to manage public lands and achieve multiple-use goals,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “The people who live, work, and recreate near or on BLM-managed lands deserve a formal voice in the planning process and their input serves as a valuable tool in the decision-making process.”

In its review of candidates, the BLM will evaluate individuals on the basis of their training, education, and knowledge of the council’s geographical area. Nominees, who must be residents of the state or states where the RAC has jurisdiction, must complete a nomination form and submit a letter of reference. Nominees can also submit additional information that speaks to their qualifications. All nominations will be given full consideration.

The BLM, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 28 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located. Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest in public land management. Members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to serve an initial three-year term and may be reappointed to serve additional three-year terms. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook that the BLM needs for its mission, which is to manage the public lands for multiple uses.

The five RAC positions open in Utah are in the following category(ies):

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.

Nominations should be sent by Monday, June 4, 2012, to the Bureau of Land Management, ATTN: Sherry Foot, Special Programs Coordinator, 440 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84101; phone (801) 539-4195; email address: sfoot@blm.gov.