BLM adds 7 to Resource Advisory Council

Petroleum News

The federal Bureau of Land Management Alaska said July 8 that it has added seven members to its Resource Advisory Council, all appointed by Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt to three-year terms.

BLM said the Resource Advisory Councils were created to allow local residents to provide direct input on BLM policies in their home states. Members may represent recreation, energy and minerals, Alaska Native interests, historical and archaeological and environmental sectors.

Two of the seven members were reappointed: Stan Foo, recommended by the Alaska Miners Association and Bronk Jorgensen, a placer miner, recommended by the Fortymile Mining District, both representing energy and minerals interests.

Also representing energy and minerals interests is first-time appointee John Schell, recommended and employed by ConocoPhillips Alaska as manager of land and business development.

First-time appointee Rada Khadjinova, a certified environmental regulation and permitting specialist with a local geotechnical, survey and subsea service company, represents rights of way and transportation.

Long-time Haines resident Jessie Badger, from a family of loggers, miners and commercial fisherman, will represent outdoor and commercial recreation/OHV use.

Avid outdoorsman, local guide and Cantwell resident Justin Mason will represent dispersed recreation interests.

Jusdi Doucet will bring a State of Alaska perspective from her position as deputy director of Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office.

There are 15 members on the council. They provide advice and recommendations to the BLM Alaska State Director on resource and land management issues for some 70 million acres of BLM managed public land in Alaska.

“All of these RAC members live and work in Alaska and will provide those Alaska specific perspectives from the many uses our public lands can offer,” said Alaska State Director Chad Padgett.

- Petroleum News