Category: News (Older posts)

The Wildlife Commission and Parks Board selected Region 2 Regional Forester Rick Cables as the director of the new combined agency, Division of Parks and Wildlife.  His selection was approved (as required by the new statute) by the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources.   The two bodies made their selection on June 10, following interviews of the final 3 candidates.  Previously on May 31, two panels of stakeholders and one employee panel interviewed the 3 finalists and provided their feedback to the Executive Director of DNR and the chairs of the Wildlife Commission and the Parks Board.

Congratulations to Rick.  CWF looks forward to meeting with the new director and working with him in his new role.  CWF has worked with Rick for several years during his tenure as Regional Forester.

 

Below is the press release issued by the Department of Natural Resources on June 13:

 

STATE OF COLORADO

 

 

 

 

John W. Hickenlooper

Governor

 

Mike King

Executive Director

 

OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Department of Natural Resources

1313 Sherman Street, Room 718

Denver, Colorado 80203

Phone: (303) 866-3311

Fax: (303) 866-2115

dnr.state.co.us

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 13, 2011

 

CONTACT

Todd Hartman, 303-866-3311 x-8665, todd.hartman@state.co.us

 

Rick Cables named director

of new Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife

 

Rick Cables, Regional Forester for the U.S. Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Region, has been

named the director of the newly created Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife.

 

Cables will oversee the new division and its 880 employees beginning in July. The new division

unites the existing Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks, a merger approved by

state lawmakers and signed into law June 6 by Governor John Hickenlooper.

 

œRick Cables brings an accomplished career of conservation success, much of it in the West, to this

critical role leading our new Parks and Wildlife division, said Mike King, executive director of the

Colorado Department of Natural Resources. œWe are fortunate to have a person with his

conservation values, management talent and wealth of experience with western landscapes taking

the helm of this new agency.

 

œI feel privileged to be joining the remarkable professionals of the newly created Colorado Division

of Parks and Wildlife, Cables said. œTheir passion, professionalism and dedication to Colorado’s

wildlife and state parks make our wonderful state even more special. I’m very excited to pursue this

new challenge. To my friends in the U.S. Forest Service, an agency that I love, I thank you for the

experience and look forward to advancing Colorado’s conservation heritage.

 

Cables has been the Regional Forester of the Rocky Mountain Region since 2001. As Regional

Forester he has been responsible for the administration of over 22 million acres in 17 national

forests and 7 national grasslands, and cooperative efforts with state and private landowners in

Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and eastern Wyoming.

On June 6, Governor Hickenlooper signed into law the bill to merge the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks.  The combined agency is the Division of Parks and Wildlife.  The merger is to become effective on July 1. On June 10, the Wildlife Commission and the Parks Board will interview in an executive session the three finalists who applied for the director position.  They hope to reach consensus (subject to approval of the executive director of DNR)  and extend a job offer.    Two external panels and an employee panel interviewed the three candidates on May 31 and provided feedback to the Chairs of the Wildlife Commission and Parks Board and the Executive Director.  The panels did not rate or rank the candidates.  CWF’s Suzanne O’Neill was included in one of the panels.

Here is an article written on June 6 in the Durango Herald by Joe Hanel.  CWF’s Communications Director, Todd Malmsbury is quoted:

Governor signs bill to merge parks, wildlife

On May 6, the bill to merge the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks passed the House by a vote of 49-12.  The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk.

On May 2, the bill to merge the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks passed out of the House Agricultural, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee on a 10-3 vote.    CWF’s Board Chair, John Smeltzer, testified in opposition to the bill.  The text of his testimony appears under Our Stand at the bottom left of this home page.

On June 6, Governor Hickenlooper signed into law the bill to merge the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks.  The combined agency is the Division of Parks and Wildlife.  The merger is to become effective on July 1. On June 10, the Wildlife Commission and the Parks Board will interview in an executive session the three finalists who applied for the director position.  They hope to reach consensus (subject to approval of the executive director of DNR)  and extend a job offer.    Two external panels and an employee panel interviewed the three candidates on May 31 and provided feedback to the Chairs of the Wildlife Commission and Parks Board and the Executive Director.  The panels did not rate or rank the candidates.  CWF’s Suzanne O’Neill was included in one of the panels.

Here is an article written on June 6 in the Durango Herald by Joe Hanel.  CWF’s Communications Director, Todd Malmsbury is quoted:

Governor signs bill to merge parks, wildlife

On May 6, the bill to merge the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks passed the House by a vote of 49-12.  The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk.

On May 2, the bill to merge the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks passed out of the House Agricultural, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee on a 10-3 vote.    CWF’s Board Chair, John Smeltzer, testified in opposition to the bill.  The text of his testimony appears under Our Stand at the bottom left of this home page.

Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar  issued a new wild lands policy memorandum on June 1.  The memorandum follows a Congressional prohibition on April 14 of the use of appropriated funds to implement, administer, or enforce Secretarial Order 3011 during fiscal year 2011.  The memorandum directs Interior Deputy Secretary Hayes to “work with the BLM and interested parties to develop recommendations regarding the management of BLM lands with wilderness characteristics.”   The Memorandum appears below.

THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

WASHINGTON

JUN 0.1 2011 

Memorandum 

To: Director, Bureau of Land Management

Secretary~ s~

From:

Re: Wilderness Policy

Congressionally approved wilderness areas are an important part of the conservation assets of the

United States. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) currently manages 221 wilderness areas

and 545 wilderness study areas designated by Congress, which comprise approximately

8.8 percent of the nearly 245 million acres managed by the BLM.

There is longstanding support for the designation of wilderness areas. A number of proposed

wilderness designations are pending before the I 12th Congress, and other areas are being actively

considered for additions to the wilderness system. Wilderness areas provide a number of

benefits, including unique hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities.

The BLM maintains an inventory of all lands under its jurisdiction, pursuant to Section 20 I of

the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). As these inventories confirm,

the BLM manages large landscapes that have wilderness characteristics.

On December 22,2010, I issued Secretarial Order 3310 to address the BLM’s management of

wilderness resources on lands under its jurisdiction. Under Secretarial Order 3310, I ordered

the BLM to use the public resource management planning process to designate certain lands with

wilderness characteristics as “Wild Lands.”

On April 14, 20 II, the United States Congress passed the Department of Defense and Full-Year

Continuing Appropriations Act, 201 1 (Pub. L. 1 12-1 0)(20 1 1 CR), which includes a provision

(Section 1769) that prohibits the use of appropriated funds to implement, administer, or enforce

Secretarial Order 3310 in Fiscal Year 2011.

I am confirming today that, pursuant to the 20 II CR, the BLM will not designate any lands as

“Wild Lands.”

As required by law, the BLM will continue to maintain inventories of lands under its jurisdiction,

including lands with wilderness characteristics. Also, consistent with FLPMA and other

applicable authorities, the BLM will consider the wilderness characteristics of public lands when

undertaking its multiple use land use planning and when making project-level decisions. In that

regard, I am directing Deputy Secretary David Hayes to work with the BLM and interested

parties to develop recommendations regarding the management of BLM lands with wilderness

 

 

CWF’s view”  The wild lands policy announced in December 2010 has been popular with wildlife enthusiasts and other outdoor recreationists.  It would have provided access to public lands in balance with other uses such as oil and gas leasing.  Even now, some important wildlife habitat is approaching a tipping point due to a combination of factors, including development.   The Memorandum notes that the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 requires the BLM to maintain inventories of all of its lands, including wilderness characteristics.   It is unclear how BLM will evaluate back country lands with such characteristics when determining uses of such lands (such as for oil and gas leasing) as there is now no guidance for such decision making, pending the work that the Memorandum instructs Deputy Secretary Hayes to undertake.

Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar  issued a new wild lands policy memorandum on June 1.  The memorandum follows a Congressional prohibition on April 14 of the use of appropriated funds to implement, administer, or enforce Secretarial Order 3011 during fiscal year 2011.  The memorandum directs Interior Deputy Secretary Hayes to “work with the BLM and interested parties to develop recommendations regarding the management of BLM lands with wilderness characteristics.”   The Memorandum appears below.

THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR

WASHINGTON

JUN 0.1 2011 

Memorandum 

To: Director, Bureau of Land Management

Secretary~ s~

From:

Re: Wilderness Policy

Congressionally approved wilderness areas are an important part of the conservation assets of the

United States. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) currently manages 221 wilderness areas

and 545 wilderness study areas designated by Congress, which comprise approximately

8.8 percent of the nearly 245 million acres managed by the BLM.

There is longstanding support for the designation of wilderness areas. A number of proposed

wilderness designations are pending before the I 12th Congress, and other areas are being actively

considered for additions to the wilderness system. Wilderness areas provide a number of

benefits, including unique hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities.

The BLM maintains an inventory of all lands under its jurisdiction, pursuant to Section 20 I of

the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). As these inventories confirm,

the BLM manages large landscapes that have wilderness characteristics.

On December 22,2010, I issued Secretarial Order 3310 to address the BLM’s management of

wilderness resources on lands under its jurisdiction. Under Secretarial Order 3310, I ordered

the BLM to use the public resource management planning process to designate certain lands with

wilderness characteristics as “Wild Lands.”

On April 14, 20 II, the United States Congress passed the Department of Defense and Full-Year

Continuing Appropriations Act, 201 1 (Pub. L. 1 12-1 0)(20 1 1 CR), which includes a provision

(Section 1769) that prohibits the use of appropriated funds to implement, administer, or enforce

Secretarial Order 3310 in Fiscal Year 2011.

I am confirming today that, pursuant to the 20 II CR, the BLM will not designate any lands as

“Wild Lands.”

As required by law, the BLM will continue to maintain inventories of lands under its jurisdiction,

including lands with wilderness characteristics. Also, consistent with FLPMA and other

applicable authorities, the BLM will consider the wilderness characteristics of public lands when

undertaking its multiple use land use planning and when making project-level decisions. In that

regard, I am directing Deputy Secretary David Hayes to work with the BLM and interested

parties to develop recommendations regarding the management of BLM lands with wilderness

 

 

CWF’s view”  The wild lands policy announced in December 2010 has been popular with wildlife enthusiasts and other outdoor recreationists.  It would have provided access to public lands in balance with other uses such as oil and gas leasing.  Even now, some important wildlife habitat is approaching a tipping point due to a combination of factors, including development.   The Memorandum notes that the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 requires the BLM to maintain inventories of all of its lands, including wilderness characteristics.   It is unclear how BLM will evaluate back country lands with such characteristics when determining uses of such lands (such as for oil and gas leasing) as there is now no guidance for such decision making, pending the work that the Memorandum instructs Deputy Secretary Hayes to undertake.

CWF thanks the many contributors of excellent silent auction items for the fundraiser on May 10.  Stoney’s Bar & Grill hosted our fundraiser in their back bar and we thank Stoney’s for their generous contributions.  Stoney’s is located at 11th and Lincoln in downtown Denver.  In addition to the many individuals who made wonderful contributions, we also thank these businesses:

Bass Pro Shops, Denver

Café Terracotta, Littleton

Chambers Wine and Liquors, Aurora

Denver School of Massage Therapy, Denver

Drift Fly Shop, Pueblo

Dvorak Expeditions, Nathrop, (Arkansas River)

Fox Hollow Golf Course, Golden

Govnr’s Park Tavern, Denver

Grizzly Framing, Golden

King Soopers

Kirks Fly Fishing, Estes Park

Lucile’s, Denver

Miner’s Alley Playhouse, Golden

Mount Vernon Country Club, Golden

Rocky Mountain Nature Association, Estes Park

Safeway

Starbucks, Balsam Way, Littleton

St. Vrain Market, Lyons

Table Mountain Inn, Golden

CWF thanks the many contributors of excellent silent auction items for the fundraiser on May 10.  Stoney’s Bar & Grill hosted our fundraiser in their back bar and we thank Stoney’s for their generous contributions.  Stoney’s is located at 11th and Lincoln in downtown Denver.  In addition to the many individuals who made wonderful contributions, we also thank these businesses:

Bass Pro Shops, Denver

Café Terracotta, Littleton

Chambers Wine and Liquors, Aurora

Denver School of Massage Therapy, Denver

Drift Fly Shop, Pueblo

Dvorak Expeditions, Nathrop, (Arkansas River)

Fox Hollow Golf Course, Golden

Govnr’s Park Tavern, Denver

Grizzly Framing, Golden

King Soopers

Kirks Fly Fishing, Estes Park

Lucile’s, Denver

Miner’s Alley Playhouse, Golden

Mount Vernon Country Club, Golden

Rocky Mountain Nature Association, Estes Park

Safeway

Starbucks, Balsam Way, Littleton

St. Vrain Market, Lyons

Table Mountain Inn, Golden

Update: May 11 — The bill was introduced in the Senate last night and assigned to the State, Veterans and Military Affairs and Local Government. The bill has died.  This is good news!!

Update: May 5 the House passed HB 11-1223 by a vote of 34-31.  The bill would dilute the wildlife and reclamation seats on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission – by increasing the oil and gas industry seats on the Commission by 2.  The bill now moves to the Senate Agricultural Committee.  CWF opposes this bill and so testified in the House Agricultural, Livestock & Natural Resources Committee on April 4.

Update: The bill moved from Appropriations Committee on April 19 to the House Floor.

On Monday, April 4, 2011 the Colorado House Agricultural Committee voted 6-5 to dilute the wildlife and reclamation seats on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, by increasing the number of members with oil and gas experience.  The bill number is HB 11-1223.  Next the bill moves to the House Appropriations Committee.  The bill changes the current composition of the COGCC from 3 to 5 members with oil and gas experience.  The bill was further amended to change the two ex officio seats held by the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources and the Executive Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment to nonvoting seats.

CWF testified against the bill because the current composition of the COGCC works.  The current composition was created by HB 07-1341.  As oil and gas drilling permits increase, and wildlife management on the surface of leased lands becomes more complicated, it is necessary to maintain this balance among interests.

The bill was forwarded to the House Appropriations Committee and is expected to be heard on Tuesday the 19th.  If it passes, it would move to the House Floor.

Update: May 11 — The bill was introduced in the Senate last night and assigned to the State, Veterans and Military Affairs and Local Government. The bill has died.  This is good news!!

Update: May 5 the House passed HB 11-1223 by a vote of 34-31.  The bill would dilute the wildlife and reclamation seats on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission – by increasing the oil and gas industry seats on the Commission by 2.  The bill now moves to the Senate Agricultural Committee.  CWF opposes this bill and so testified in the House Agricultural, Livestock & Natural Resources Committee on April 4.

Update: The bill moved from Appropriations Committee on April 19 to the House Floor.

On Monday, April 4, 2011 the Colorado House Agricultural Committee voted 6-5 to dilute the wildlife and reclamation seats on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, by increasing the number of members with oil and gas experience.  The bill number is HB 11-1223.  Next the bill moves to the House Appropriations Committee.  The bill changes the current composition of the COGCC from 3 to 5 members with oil and gas experience.  The bill was further amended to change the two ex officio seats held by the Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources and the Executive Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment to nonvoting seats.

CWF testified against the bill because the current composition of the COGCC works.  The current composition was created by HB 07-1341.  As oil and gas drilling permits increase, and wildlife management on the surface of leased lands becomes more complicated, it is necessary to maintain this balance among interests.

The bill was forwarded to the House Appropriations Committee and is expected to be heard on Tuesday the 19th.  If it passes, it would move to the House Floor.

BLM held public scoping meetings on May 3 and May 4 in Rifle and in Denver, respectively,  in its “process to take a fresh look” at commercial oil shale plans that were announced in 2008.

 

CWF made public comment —

 

Background: Secretary Salazar had announced the "fresh look" earlier
this year at to the 2008 regulations.  Under the 2008 regs, 2 million
acres of western federal public lands would be open (eligible) for
commercial oil shale leasing.  BLM has published a Notice of Intent to
Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) governing oil
shale resources on BLM  lands in the Piceance Basin (and in Utah and
Wyoming).

In January 2007 BLM issued 5 RD&D (Research, Demonstration & Development)
oil shale leases to 3 companies within the Piceance Basin
including Shell.  These lessees were granted the ability to expand their
respective 160-acre leases to 5,120-acre commercial development leases
after conversion from the RD&D status.  A 2nd round of RD&D lease
applications was solicited by Department of Interior on November 3, 2009.
After submitting proposals, two companies were nominated - Natural Soda
and ExxonMobil -- to conduct RD&D on 160-acre leases (which could be
expanded to 640 acres upon meeting criteria set by Secretary Salazar).
At this time, these nominations are going through the BLM legal process.

The obvious question is why move forward at all with any commercial
leasing before results of round 1 RD&D and round 2, assuming it goes forward,
are forthcoming and demonstrate technical feasibility for commercial
scale oil shale production, water use projections, etc.    Our CWF position
has been exactly that: it is premature to conduct any commercial development leasing.

Water estimates continue to appear to be 3 barrels of water for each
barrel of production. Companies consistently have stated that determining
commercial feasibility is at least 20 years off.  As you know, this also is
very important wildlife habitat in the Piceance that has been leased
extensively already for gas development. (CWF mapped mule deer severe winter
range, elk winter concentration and severe winter range areas, and greater
sage grouse ridge areas for our report on NW Colorado published in January 2010.)
The number of future  wellpads projected by gas companies in the Piceance Basin
is alarming, exacerbating access issues, lack of quality experience in an
industrialized zone, as well as destruction of habitat.

Some companies have extensive private holdings in the Piceance.  They
claim that although within the oil shale formation, the private lands they
own are in the thinner less promising areas.

The US House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee majority intends
to push for commercial leasing.  Apparently, they do not view RD&D findings as a prerequisite.