People with knowledge or experience in gravel mining or related fields are invited to apply for a seat on the 11-member Surface Mining Advisory Committee, which advises the Whatcom County Council on decisions related to mineral resource lands. There are seven vacancies.

The committee will consider stricter requirements for mining applications and help revise the county's 20-year planning document.

Members must have a background in geology, ecology, environmental consulting, surface mining, groundwater or forestry.

Applications are available online at whatcomcounty.us/boards/boards.jsp or at the County Council office, 311 Grand Ave., Suite 105, Bellingham, WA 98225. Return applications to that address as soon as possible, as vacancies will be filled as applications come in.

To learn more, contact Jill Nixon at 360-676-6690 or jnixon@co.whatcom.wa.us.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2298.