16 U.S.C. § 460rrr–2 — Establishment of the Commission

(a) Establishment: The law creates the Rio Grande Natural Area Commission. (b) Purpose: The Commission has two jobs. It advises the Secretary about the Natural Area. It also writes a management plan for the non-federal land inside the Natural Area. (c) Membership: The Commission has 9 members, all appointed by the Secretary. - 1 member represents Colorado's State Director of the Bureau of Land Management. - 1 member is the manager of the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, automatically, because of that job. - 3 members are appointed based on the Governor of Colorado's recommendation: one representing the Colorado Division of Wildlife, one representing the Colorado Division of Water Resources, and one representing the Rio Grande Water Conservation District. - 4 members represent the general public. They must live in the local region and know about preserving, restoring, and using the Natural Area. (d) Terms of office: Members (except the wildlife refuge manager) serve 5-year terms. A member can be reappointed after finishing a term. (e) Compensation: Members do not get paid for serving on the Commission. (f) Chairperson: The Commission elects its own chairperson. (g) Meetings: The Commission must meet at least four times a year, called by the chairperson. Meetings must be open to the public. The Commission must announce a meeting before it happens. (h) Technical assistance: The Secretary and other federal agencies must, as much as they reasonably can, give the Commission information and technical help it asks for.