> ![](media/image1.wmf) ***BLM News***

NEVADA STATE OFFICE NO. 2003-05

# FOR RELEASE: October 24, 2002

CONTACT: Jo Simpson at (775) 861-6586 or Debra Kolkman at (775) 289-1946

**Secretary Norton Announces New Appointments to**

**BLM Resource Advisory Councils**

Interior Secretary Gale Norton announced today the appointment of ten
new members and the reappointment of six existing members to three
citizen‑based Resource Advisory Councils (RACs) in Nevada that advise
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on public land issues.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of these talented individuals
to serve on

Nevada's Resource Advisory Councils," Norton said. "We are excited
because, each RAC member brings a local perspective and diverse
background that will assist the BLM in our mission of consultation,
cooperation, and communication - all in the service of conservation."

Composed of citizens appointed for their expertise in natural resource
issues, the councils aim to improve the health and productivity of the
public lands in the state. Each RAC provides counsel and advice to the
Secretary of the Interior through BLM's field managers concerning
planning and management of the public lands within the RAC's
jurisdictional boundary.

"I look forward to the fresh perspectives the RAC members will bring to
the BLM, as they help us carry out our multiple use mission," said BLM
Director Kathleen Clarke. "I am enthusiastic about what the RAC members
and the BLM will be able to accomplish, with the addition of new
members."

New appointments to the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC include George
"John" Weisser of Las Vegas and Ed Skudlarek of Carson City. Members
reappointed are Marta Agee, Alamo; Jerry Helton, Las Vegas; and Stephen
Mellington, Las Vegas.

New members to the Northeastern Great Basin RAC are Art Gale, Eureka;
Brent Howerton, Fernley; Todd Schwandt, Lamoille; and Dr. Barry
Perryman, Reno. The reappointed member to this RAC is Dave Tattam.

For the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin RAC, new members include
Ernest Paine, Yerington; John Mudge, Reno; James Eidel, Carson City; and
John Gebhardt, Reno. Members reappointed include John Falen of Orovada
and Sherm Swanson of Reno.

"I look forward to working with all the new and existing members, said
BLM Nevada State Director Bob Abbey. "In the past, they have provided
valuable advice to our field managers and me on numerous resource
issues."

-MORE-

The three Nevada RACs held their first meeting of the year, a joint
meeting of all three RACs, in Reno on October 17 and 18. Information
regarding upcoming RAC meetings will be announced as it becomes
available. All meetings of the RACs are open to the public.

The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages more
land---262 million surface acres---than any other Federal agency. Most
of the country's BLM‑managed public land is located in 12 Western
states, including Alaska. The Bureau, which has a budget of \$1.8
billion and a workforce of 10,000 employees, also administers 700
million acres of sub‑surface mineral estate throughout the Nation. The
BLM's "multiple use" mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and
productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present
and future generations. The BLM accomplishes this by managing for such
resources as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, and energy and
mineral development that helps meet the nation's energy needs, and by
conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the
public lands.

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