PICTURED: Council members discussing roads and access on the east side of Steens Mountain. (Submitted photo)

Did you know that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has Resource Advisory Councils – made up of people just like you – who give citizen-based advice and recommendations on the management of public lands? These groups provide an opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds and interests to have a stronger impact on the decisions made for public lands.

The Steens Mountain Advisory Council (SMAC) currently has five positions open for public nomination:

• a person who has no financial interest in the Cooperative Management and Protection Area (CMPA) to represent statewide interests;

• two environmental representatives, one to represent the state as a whole and one from the local area;

• a person who participates in mechanized or consumptive recreation in the CMPA, such as hunting or off-road driving;

• a dispersed recreation representative (such as hiking, camping, nature viewing, nature photography, bird watching, horseback riding, trail walking, etc.).

If you are interested in public land management on Steens Mountain, this is a great opportunity to share your expertise and work with a collaborative group. The SMAC has been successful in bringing diverse and often competing interests to the table to deal with issues of mutual concern. This inclusive approach has shown great promise as a means to successfully deal with long-standing problems of public land management. Consensus-driven recommendations often lead to sustainable outcomes that benefit natural resources and have a high level of public support.

“Resource Advisory Councils provide the BLM with vital feedback on current issues, concerns, and proposals, and enable us to engage local communities and stakeholders to improve our management of public lands,” said Acting BLM State Director Theresa Hanley.

To nominate yourself or someone you know, submit a membership application and supporting letters of recommendation from the groups or interests to be represented to the BLM Burns District Office, 28910 Hwy. 20 West, Hines, Oregon. Nominees will be evaluated based on their training, education, and knowledge of the Steens Mountain area.

The application deadline is June 13, 2019.  Nomination forms can be picked up at this same location, by mail request, through phone request at 541-573-4400, or online at: https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/apply

The specific category that the nominee would like to represent should be identified in the nomination form and letters of reference. The BLM and the governor of Oregon will review the applications and submit recommended nominees to the secretary of the interior, who is responsible for making appointments.

Appointed members must reside in the state of Oregon. The SMAC generally holds quarterly meetings in Hines, Bend, and Frenchglen. Although members serve without monetary compensation, travel and per diem expenses are reimbursed at current rates for government employees.  SMAC members are normally appointed to three-year terms.

For more information on the SMAC, call Tara Thissell at 541-573-4400.