PUBLIC LANDS -- Five new members were named today to the Bureau of Land Management’s Coeur d’Alene District citizen-based Resource Advisory Council.  The announcement was just released by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. The appointees will serve a three-year term and advise the BLM on public lands issues.

The newly appointed and reappointed members are:

• Alan Harper, Commercial Timber Industry representative.
• Jann Higdem, Energy and Mineral Development representative.
• Dan Dinning, Elected Official representative.
• Clifford Swanson, Dispersed Recreation representative.
• Patricia Perry, Tribal Representative

The RACs, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the BLM carry out its stewardship of 245 million acres – the largest land portfolio of any Federal agency.  The BLM has established 29 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.  Each RAC consists of 10 to 15 members with an interest in public land management, such as conservationists, outdoor recreationists, ranchers, Tribal officials, state and local government officials, academics, and others.