03/08/07 RAC nominees sought

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking 21 people to fill vacancies on four Resource Advisory Councils in Idaho. The RAC's represent a cross section of the public and provide the BLM with advice and recommendations on the management of nearly 12 million acres of public land in Idaho. DAVIS-BRUNNER "It gives us an opportunity to kind of poll the citizens and get some information in there from the local communities and citizenry and it really helps us shape some of our policy." Shelley Davis-Brunner says they have three categories that represent different interest groups. Each of those councils has 15 members who are appointed to three year terms. There are four RAC districts in the state; Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and Coeur d'Alene. The nominations have to be into the BLM by April 2nd. Nominees will be evaluated based on education, training, experience and knowledge of the area administered by the respective BLM district. BLM will consult with Governor Butch Otter prior to final consideration and decision by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. The RAC terms begin on October first and Davis-Brunner says the council's usually meet three to four times per year. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott