FWP seeks applicants for Region 6 Citizen Advisory Council Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applications to fill five volunteer positions on the Region 6 Citizen Advisory Council (CAC). The panel was established four years ago to provide input and guidance to FWP from the public. The CAC is a general advisory committee that meets between three and four times annually and works with FWP on all issues and programs. Citizen advisors serve in a voluntary capacity with meals and travel expenses provided for a three-year term. The meetings, which are open to the public, are held in various communities around the region and are generally devoted to two or three main topics, though citizen advisors come to meetings prepared to discuss the whole breadth of FWP business, from wildlife and fisheries management to access, recreation and law enforcement. Applicants are being sought to fill vacancies created by the expiration of the terms of Fran Buell of Gildford, Darlyne Dascher of Fort Peck, Tom Burch of Fort Peck, Howard Pippin of Saco and Dustin Hill of Scobey. People from those communities are encouraged to apply for the vacancies, though applicants will be considered from across Region 6. Applicants will be asked to provide an overview of their interests and involvement in natural resource issues plus write a few sentences on why they are interested in serving on the CAC. To obtain an application, either call FWP at 228-3700, email Judy Elletson at jelletson@mt.gov write CAC Application, FWP, 54078 U.S. Highway 2 West, Glasgow MT 59230. “Citizen-driven ideas and solutions are important for FWP in managing our wildlife, fisheries and recreational resources,” says Pat Gunderson, Region 6 supervisor. “We have been very fortunate to have a diversity, both geographically and in terms of opinion, on our CAC. We are looking for individuals with an interest in resource issues to help us make responsive and responsible decisions.” The function of the CAC is to: · Help promote Montana’s strong hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational traditions; · Help FWP personnel be more available and responsive to the public; · Contribute to regional decision-making and assist FWP with crafting local, sustainable solutions to both regional and statewide issues; · Help FWP identify issues before they become problems; · Influence management proposals and provide advice and perspective on important resource issues; · Encourage dialog about FWP issues and perspectives in local communities. Incumbent CAC members are John Crohn of Dagmar, Connie Iverson of Culbertson, Robert Smith of Poplar, Dennis Idler, Steve Sukut and Scott Billingsley of Glasgow, Carl Totman of Malta, Nick Siebrasse of Havre and Rich Stuker of Chinook. Completed applications must be received by FWP by May 31. Candidates will be selected by a panel comprised of FWP managers, members of the public and incumbent CAC members. Finalists will be notified by July 1 and should be prepared to attend their first meeting in September.