The governor and Secretary Norton are stacking our RACs

Resource Advisory Councils or RACs are citizen councils that provide advice and guidance to the Bureau of Land Management on important agency issues and decisions. Colorado has three RACs, each of which have fifteen members representing a mandated variety of interest groups such as grazing, dispersed recreation, academia, environment, off-road vehicle riding, and mining.

Every year, one-third of the RAC is replaced through a nomination process in which individuals or interest groups nominate qualified people. Nominees must fill out an application and provide supporting letters of recommendation that demonstrate a knowledge of the issues and geographic area and a “commitment to collaborate in seeking solutions….” This ensures that RAC members truly represent the varied group with interests in our national lands, thus enabling a full and accurate discussion of issues and policies.

This year, however, the diversity of views crucial to the proper functioning of these councils is seriously threatened. In a heavy-handed move, Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton appointed a slate of candidates that were handpicked by Governor Bill Owens to fill every open position on the three RACs. Norton appointed thirteen of the Governor’s nominees to the fourteen available positions. The majority of the nominees provided no letters of endorsement from the groups they are supposed to represent, a requirement of the RAC charter and federal regulations.

The Colorado Mountain Club, along with the Colorado Environmental Coalition, brought this issue to light. With several CMC members serving on the RACs and a long-term interest in their function, the CMC shares the concern of numerous citizens that the politicizing of the RACs will reduce them to just another stacked commission whose recommendations are disregarded by decision-makers and the public.

In response to the CMC’s and the CEC’s investigation, the Northwest RAC and the Front Range RAC have asked the BLM to request a review and explanation of the 2001 appointment process. We will be following up with the Department of Interior asking for an investigation of the appointment process and a report to the public.