News Stories for 2012

Durango, CO – In 2008, La Plata County Commissioner Wally White was appointed as a representative of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Southwest Resource Advisory Council (RAC).  The Southwest RAC is composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior; individuals serving in each RAC represent a broad range of public land interests, ranging from environmental to local government to commercial activity.  On October 19, 2012, Commissioner White was elected as vice chair of the Southwest RAC.  Commissioner White will continue to serve on the Southwest RAC after his second term as County Commissioner concludes.

Colorado's three Resource Advisory Councils are official federal advisory committees that provide advice and recommendations on all aspects of public land management to BLM Colorado's Designated Federal Officers. The RACs operate on the principle of collaborative decision making and strive for consensus before making official recommendations to BLM. 

Commissioner White has been a La Plata County resident since 1979; and prior to his being elected as District 3 Commissioner in 2004, he served on several local committees including the County’s Planning Commission and Predator Control Committee.  He has an extensive background in livestock management, having been an owner, operator and manager of llama and alpaca breeding farms for over 20 years.  He has held several leadership positions in this field, and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the International Llama Association and the Rocky Mountain Llama and Alpaca Association.  As Commissioner, he has served on the Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) Land Use and Natural Resources Committee and the CCI Public Lands Committee.

In addition to these credentials, Commissioner White possesses a keen interest in environmental issues, a thorough knowledge of the geographic area served by the Southwest Resource Advisory Council, and the training, education and experience to give objective advice on the resource, social and economic issues impacting the use and management of public lands. 

“I am honored to be elected by the diverse membership of the Southwest RAC to serve as Vice Chair,” said Commissioner White.  “I was appointed as a representative of ‘Dispersed Recreation’ and enjoy working with stakeholders that represent such a broad range of interests throughout the region.”