Bureau of Land Management Recognized for Leadership and Management Efforts over Past Year
Denver, CO (PRWEB) December 19, 2013 -- In an annual Wilderness Society review of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) activities, eight land management efforts are being recognized as significant achievements for 2013. The annual Comparative Analysis of Particular Excellence (CAPE) awards highlight agency plans and activities that promote conservation of our wildlands and seek to achieve “balance” for the multiple uses of our public lands.
This year’s awards run the gamut from responsible renewable energy planning in the California Desert to conserving the imperiled greater sage-grouse, to inventorying millions of acres of western lands for wilderness characteristics.
“The BLM has a daunting mission, managing so many resources across public lands that belong to all Americans,” said Nada Culver, senior director of agency policy at The Wilderness Society. “The agency continues to expand its focus, recognizing opportunities for conservation of wilderness-quality lands, wildlife habitat and cultural resources, while responsibly designing oil and gas, renewable energy and transmission development.”
The CAPE rating system, ranges from one CAPE on the low end (worth a pat on the back) to five CAPEs on the high end (significant progress). The 2013 list of greatest achievements includes:
• Northwest Colorado Field Offices Set the Bar for Inventorying Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (4 CAPEs): Recipient: Kent Walter, White River Field Office Manager; Wendy Reynolds, Little Snake Field Office Manager
• Arizona- BLM Takes a Stand for Conservation in the Ironwood Forest National Monument (4 CAPEs): Recipient: Claire Crow, Monument Manager
• Arizona BLM Finalizes Statewide Plan for Smart Solar and Wind Development (4 CAPEs): Recipient: Kathy Pedrick, BLM
• Regional Mitigation Guidance Provides a Landscape Approach to Offsetting Impacts (3 CAPEs): Recipients: Jim Perry, Fluid Minerals Division; Matt Preston, NLCS Division
• Master Leasing Plans Officially Incorporated into Planning Handbook (3 CAPEs): Recipient: Minerals and Realty Management Office
• BLM Completes Milestone on Road to Fixing West-Wide Energy Corridors (2 CAPEs): Recipient: Lucas Lucero and Joshua Hanson, BLM D.C. office
• Rapid Eco-regional Assessments Aim to Improve Landscape-Level Analysis (2 CAPEs): Recipient: Kit Muller, Renewable Resources and Planning Division
• California- BLM Seizes Opportunity to Designate National Conservation Lands Through the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan- (1 CAPE): Recipient: Jim Kenna, BLM California State Director
“In 2013, the BLM is embracing tools that can help it meet this challenge, like master leasing plans, eco-regional assessments, energy corridors and mitigation,” said Culver. “Our CAPE awards recognize these efforts, which can lead to meaningful conservation as well as balancing the myriad of uses and stewardship of our public lands. We hope to see the potential of the BLM’s broader vision become a reality in the coming year.”
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The Wilderness Society is the leading wild public lands conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. Founded in 1935, and now with more than 500,000 members and supporters, TWS has led the effort to permanently protect 110 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. http://www.wilderness.org
Jennifer Dickson, The Wilderness Society, http://www.wilderness.org, +1 202-316-2555, [email protected]
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