BLM Seeks Nominations for Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public nominations to fill three positions on its national Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. This advisory board plays a crucial role in advising the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service on the protection and management of wild horses and burros on public lands. Nominations must be received by email or postmarked by February 10, 2017.

The BLM published its request for nominations in the December 27 issue of the Federal Register. Nominations are for a term of three years and are needed to represent the following categories of interest: public interest (equine behavior), wild horse and burro research, and natural resource management.

The advisory board advises the BLM, an agency of the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the Department of Agriculture, on the protection and management of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands administered by those agencies. The board generally meets twice a year, and the BLM’s Designated Federal Official can call additional meetings when necessary. Members serve without salary but are reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses according to government travel regulations.

The board consists of nine members who represent a balance of interests, and each member has knowledge or special expertise that qualifies them to provide advice in one of the following categories:

• Wild horse and burro advocacy;
• Wild horse and burro research;
• Veterinary medicine;
• Natural resources management;
• Humane advocacy;
• Wildlife management;
• Livestock management;
• Public interest (with special knowledge of equine behavior); and
• Public interest (with special knowledge of protection of wild horses and burros, management of wildlife, animal husbandry, or natural resource management).

Individuals shall qualify to serve on the board based on their education, training, or experience that enables them to give informed and objective advice regarding the interest they represent. They should demonstrate experience or knowledge of the area of their expertise and a commitment to collaborate in seeking solutions to resource management issues.

Any individual or organization can nominate one or more persons to serve on the advisory board; individuals can also nominate themselves. In accordance with Section 7 of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, Federal and state government employees are not eligible to serve on the board.

Interested parties should submit a nomination letter and full resume. The following information must be provided: the position(s) for which the nominee wants to be considered, along with the nominee’s first, middle, and last name; business and home addresses and phone numbers; email address; present occupation/title and employer; education (colleges, degrees, major field[s] of study); career highlights; qualifications and relevant education, training, and experience; experience or knowledge of wild horse and burro management; experience or knowledge of horses or burros (equine health, training, and management); and experience in working with disparate groups to achieve collaborative solutions. Applicants must also indicate any BLM permits, leases, or licenses held by the nominee or his/her employer; indicate whether the nominee is a federally registered lobbyist; and explain why the nominee wants to serve on the board. Also, at least one letter of reference from special interests or organizations the nominee may represent must be provided.

Nominations can be submitted by email or regular mail. Email the nomination to [email protected]. To send by U.S. Postal Service, mail to the National Wild Horse and Burro Program, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street, N.W., Room 2134 LM, Attn: Dorothea Boothe, WO-260, Washington, DC 20240. To send by FedEx or UPS, please mail to the National Wild Horse and Burro Program, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 20 M Street, S.E., Room 2134 LM, Attn: Dorothea Boothe, Washington, DC 20003.

Individuals with questions can call Boothe at 202/912-7654.

Originally posted by The Horse