GRAND JUNCTION, CO – Interior Secretary Gale Norton
announced the appointment of several new members to the Bureau of Land
Management’s (BLM) 24 Resource Advisory Councils (RAC). These
citizen-based RACs provide counsel and advice on public land planning and
management within each RAC’s jurisdictional boundary.
Western Slope BLM and U.S. Forest Service field offices
alike work closely with the Northwest and Southwest RACs to improve the
health and productivity of public lands across western Colorado.
Furthering Secretary Norton’s 4-C’s philosophy of cooperation,
consultation and communication—all in the name of conservation—these
15-member RACs, operating on principles of collaboration and consensus,
are composed of Western Slope citizens chosen for their expertise in
natural resource issues.
"As representatives of the public, RAC members provide BLM
with candid feedback on a wide range of management issues," said newly
appointed Southwest RAC Lead Designated Federal Officer (DFO) Barbara
Sharrow. Northwest RAC Lead DFO John Husband added, "The diversity of the
Western Slope RAC members provides us with a balanced view in carrying out
BLM’s multiple-use mission."
Five individuals were reappointed to a 3-year term on the
Northwest RAC:
David P. Bailey, Category 2—Archaeological/Historical
Interests
Jeff Comstock, Category 3—Public-at-Large
T. Wright Dickinson, Category 1— Federal Grazing Permittee
Patrick Kennedy, Category 2—Dispersed Recreation
John C. Martin, Category 3—Public-at-Large
The Southwest RAC had two reappointments, with three new
members joining this RAC (denoted in bold):
Andrea Robinsong, Category 2—Environmental
Alan Staehle, Category 3—Public-at-Large
Don Bennett, Category 1—Federal Grazing Permittee
Andrew McCleod, Category 1—Commercial Recreation
Ellen R. Stein, Category 3—Public-at-Large
