BLM News Release
For Immediate Release
Contacts: Jim Sample 303-239-3861, David Boyd 970-947-2832
December 2, 2008
Secretary Kempthorne Announces Appointments to BLM Colorado Resource Advisory Councils
Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has announced the appointment or re-appointment of 15 members to Colorado’s three citizen-based Resource Advisory Councils, which advise the Bureau of Land Management on public land issues.
“These new Resource Advisory Council members are to be commended for voluntarily committing their time and knowledge to the stewardship of our public lands,” Kempthorne said. “Their advice and recommendations will be a substantial contribution to this collaborative effort.”
The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, help the agency carry out its stewardship of 258 million acres of public lands. BLM, which manages more land than any other Federal agency, has 24 RACs across the West, where most BLM-managed land is located.
“The work of the Resource Advisory Councils is a prime example of how these unique partnerships strengthen our management efforts and help promote cooperative conservation,” Kempthorne noted. “Their innovation and creativity is the engine that drives citizen-based problem solving for land management issues.”
BLM Colorado State Director Sally Wisely said, “With a variety of experience and backgrounds, the RAC members offer wide ranging viewpoints to each of our councils. This diversity gives BLM the balanced outlook necessary to manage the public lands for multiple uses.”
The BLM, an agency of the Department of the Interior, is responsible for managing these various uses – such as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production – while conserving the land’s natural, historical, and cultural resources.
The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils are each composed of 15 citizens of diverse backgrounds who are chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues. The RACs play a vital role in helping the agency carry out its stewardship of public lands.
Below are the newly appointed and reappointed members of Colorado’s three RACs.
Northwest RAC Appointments/Reappointments:
Glenn Vawter, Glenwood Springs, is a newly appointed representative of commercial interests. He is the Executive Director of the National Oil Shale Association.
Steve Gunderson, Grand Junction, was re-appointed to represent off-highway vehicle users. He is active in local and national OHV groups.
Clare Bastable, Carbondale, was reappointed as a representative of a nationally or regionally recognized environmental group. She is the Conservation Director for the Colorado Mountain Club.
Dean Riggs, Grand Junction, is a newly appointed government official. He is the Assistant Regional Manager for the Northwest Regional Office of the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Gary Bumgarner, Hot Sulphur Springs, is a newly appointed elected official. He is a Grand County Commissioner.
Southwest RAC Appointments/Reappointments:
Kenneth Emory, Montrose, was reappointed as a representative of the off-highway vehicle community. He serves on the boards of several local and state off-highway vehicle clubs and is a member of the Colorado Recreation Resource Advisory Council.
Kathleen Welt, Hotchkiss, was reappointed as a representative of the energy industry. She is director of health, safety and external affairs for Gunnison Energy Corporation.
Wallace White, Durango, was appointed as a representative of the dispersed recreation community. White is a county commissioner for LaPlata County and vice president of the Colorado Counties Western District and vice chair of the Colorado Counties Land Use and Natural Resources Committee.
Gerald Koppenhafer, Mancos, was reappointed as a representative of the elected official
category. He is a Montezuma County Commissioner.
Anthony Gurzick, Durango, was appointed as a representative of state government. He is Southwest Assistant Regional Manager/Wildlife Manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Front Range RAC Appointments/Reappointments:
Virginia Patton, Canon City, was reappointed and represents grazing interests. She is an active rancher and is a member of a number of grazing and ranching organizations.
Aaron Clark, Westminster, was reappointed as a representative of the environmental community. He is Recreation Campaign Director for the Southern Rockies Conservation Alliance.
Lucy Bambrey, Conifer, was reappointed as a representative of the archeology and history interests community. She is a member of a number of historical, archeological, and civic organizations.
Michael Nelson, Colorado Springs, was appointed as a public-at-large representative. He was previously Dean of Science and Health at the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse and holds a Ph.D. in geology.
Loren Whittemore, Rush, was reappointed as a public-at-large representative. He is a rancher and former El Paso County Commissioner.
Each 15-member RAC is comprised of:
· 5 members who represent commercial uses or users such as livestock grazing, timber production, mining, oil and gas, realty/rights-of-ways, off-highway vehicle groups and commercial recreation such as guides and outfitters.
· 5 members who represent environmental organizations, historic/cultural interests, wildlife and other conservation organizations, wild horse and burro interests and dispersed/general recreation users.
· 5 members who represent elected officials, state or other governmental agencies, Tribes, academic institutions, and the public-at-large
Advisory Council members are appointed to staggered three-year terms by the Secretary of the Interior. A list of potential appointees is generated by an annual public nomination process which begins in March or April and culminates with the appointment of new members later in the year.
Information about upcoming RAC meetings will be announced as soon as it becomes available.
For an mp3 sound clip with one of the above quotes from BLM Colorado State Director Sally Wisely,
click here.
-BLM-
