Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC)
The Arizona Resource Advisory Council (RAC) is a 15-member statewide advisory council, which provides advice and recommendations to the BLM on resource and land management issues for approximately 12.1 million acres of federal surface and 36 million acres of subsurface mineral estate in Arizona.
The purpose of the Resource Advisory Council is to enable Arizona citizens to have a meaningful say in how public lands are managed. RAC members are selected for their ability to provide informed, objective advice on a variety of public land issues, and their commitment to collaboration in seeking solutions to those issues.
Council members serve three-year terms on a staggered basis. This means that one-third of the council is subject to appointment or reappointment each year.
The RAC meets quarterly. Members serve without salary but are reimbursed for travel expenses.
If you or someone you know would like information about serving on the council, contact BLM Arizona's RAC Coordinator:
Dolores Garcia
Phone: 602-417-9241
Email: dagarcia@blm.gov
Address: One North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix, Arizona 85004
RAC Members
[ * - Newly Appointed Member]
Category 1: Commercial/Commodity Interests
|
Name |
Representing |
Residence |
Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Brake (RAC chair) | Federal Grazing Permits/Leases | Sonoita | 09/2026 |
| John (JC) Sanders | Outdoor Recreation (Developed) | Bouse | 09/2026 |
| Steve M. Trussell | Energy & Minerals Development | Tempe | 09/2026 |
| Allison P. Ellingson | Transportation & Rights-of-Way | Topock | 09/2026 |
| Paul J. Baumgardt | Transportation & Rights-of-Way | Anthem | 09/2026 |
Category 2: Environmental, Dispersed Recreation, Archaeological/Historic, Wild Horse & Burro Interests
|
Name |
Representing |
Residence |
Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharma Torrens | Environmental Organization | Phoenix | 09/2026 |
| Michael E. Quigley | Environmental Organization | Tucson | 09/2026 |
| Eileen K. Baden | Dispersed Recreation | New River | 09/2026 |
| Aaron K. Divine | Dispersed Recreation | Flagstaff | 09/2026 |
| Jill Bunnell | Dispersed Recreation | Phoenix | 09/2026 |
Category 3: Elected Officials, Native American, Public-at-Large, Academia, State and Local Government Officials
|
Name |
Representing |
Residence |
Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Howery, Ph.D. | Academia | Tucson | 02/2025 |
| Robert D. Broscheid | State Agency - Natural Resources | Peoria | 09/2026 |
| Julie J. Engle | Public-at-Large | Yuma | 09/2026 |
| Paul R. David | Elected Official | Safford | 09/2026 |
| Patrice M. Horstman | Elected Official | Flagstaff | 09/2026 |
Governor's Representative
Clay Crowder, Arizona Game and Fish Department
Designated Federal Official
Ray Suazo, BLM Arizona State Director
RAC News & Announcements
- October 2024 - BLM seeks nominations for nine regional Resource Advisory Councils including Arizona
- June 2024 - BLM Arizona schedules Resource Advisory Council meetings July - October - December
- January 2024 - BLM Arizona Resource Advisory Council to meet in February and April
- October 2022 - BLM Seeks Nominations to the Arizona Resource Advisory Council
- June 2021 - BLM Arizona Advisory Council to hold virtual meeting July 22, 2021
- November 2020 - BLM Arizona Advisory Council to hold virtual meeting November 30 and December 1, 2020
- October 2020 - Bureau of Land Management Seeks Nominations to the Arizona Resource Advisory Council (2021)