Six people were appointed Thursday to Utah’s citizen Resource Advisory Council (RAC), which are to advise the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on public land issues.

“The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils help ensure that the management of our public lands and resources are guided by a wide range of perspectives and by the input of citizens and local communities,” said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who announced the appointments. “Their input and recommendations will help us restore our treasured landscapes and ensure that we are harnessing the benefits of these lands in a balanced way.”

The councils, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in various fields of natural resource use and management, help BLM carry out its stewardship of 253 million acres of public lands. The agency, which manages more land than any other federal agency, has 24 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.

Each RAC consists of 12 to 15 members with an interest in public land management, including ranchers, conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, tribal officials, state and local government officials and scientists.

Earlier this month Salazar launched an ambitious reform of BLM’s onshore leasing program to improve onshore land, water and habitat protections and to reduce a sharp increase in protests and litigation (see Daily GPI, Jan. 7). Many of the new reforms are to follow recommendations issued last year by an interdisciplinary review team that studied, among other things, the controversial 2008 BLM lease sale in Utah (see Daily GPI, Oct. 12, 2009; Sept. 9, 2009; Dec. 22, 2008).

“RAC members come from different backgrounds and reflect a wide range of perspectives,” said BLM Utah State Director Selma Sierra. “Their diversity results in a balanced outlook that the bureau needs as it carries out its multiple-use mission.”

The newly appointed members of Utah’s RAC are Gary Kofford of Castle Dale, who was selected to represent Utah’s elected officials; Bill Hopkin of Woodruff to represent grazing interests; Mike Roberts and Ray Bloxham, both of Salt Lake City, to represent environmental groups; Stuart Sprouse of Sandy to represent dispersed recreation; and John Malechek of Logan, who will represent academia.

Information about upcoming RAC meetings will be announced as it becomes available, BLM said.

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