ST. GEORGE — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Advisory Committees to fill existing and upcoming vacancies.
The committee members are volunteers who provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on the development and implementation of management plans for the monuments, according to a press release issued by the BLM.
Each advisory committee has 15 members with diverse backgrounds and expertise, including Tribal, local business, county and state, education, conservation, developed or dispersed outdoor recreation, ranching, and sportsmen and sportswomen, as well as expertise in paleontology, archaeology and history.
Both advisory committees are formally chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
“Monument Advisory Committees serve an important role in the Bureau’s collaborative approach to monument management,” BLM Utah State Director Greg Sheehan said in the news release.
“The landscape across these monuments is diverse; as such, we are seeking committee members who represent the diverse resources and uses of these areas,” he said. “We are looking for individuals willing to serve and help inform the administration and conservation of these national monuments for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations.”
Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on the advisory committees. Nominees will be reviewed based on their training, education and knowledge of the geographical area. Nominees should also demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and collaborative decision-making.
All nominations from represented interests or organizations must include a completed application, letters of reference and other information that speak to the nominee’s qualifications.
In April, the Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee will have five vacancies. Grand Staircase-Escalante currently has two vacancies.
Monument managers are soliciting interested and qualified candidates for all categories, but particularly nominations for Bears Ears National Monument in the following capacities: an elected official from San Juan County, a representative of dispersed recreation activities, a representative of developed outdoor recreation, a livestock grazing permittee, and a representative with archaeological or historic expertise.
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Advisory Committee is currently in need of representatives with expertise in paleontology and archaeology or history.
Access the nomination application at this link. More information about the Bears Ears advisory committee is available on this website, and more information about the Grand Staircase-Escalante advisory committee is available on this website.
As published in a notice in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations submitted by March 11. For more information, contact Rachel Wootton, Bears Ears National Monument, phone: 385-235-4364 or David Hercher, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, phone: 435-899-0415.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.
For general information about serving on advisory committees, contact BLM Utah State Office Public Affairs Specialist Melissa Schnee, phone: 801-539-4089.
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