NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 10, 2004
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
      CA-N-03-67

STAN BALES RECEIVES NATIONAL BLM 'LEGENDS' AWARD

Stan Bales, an outdoor recreation planner with the Bureau of Land Management in Susanville has received the BLM’s 2004 "Legends Award" in recognition of his distinguished public service over more than two decades.

Bales received the honor Wednesday, June 9, in Washington, D. C. during events commemorating national "Great Outdoors Week." He is the only BLM employee to receive the award, which was announced by BLM Director Kathleen Clarke.

The honor commended Bales for his tireless efforts to build community coalitions to conserve public land resources, develop recreation facilities, improve tourism, and improve the quality of life for northeast California residents.

"We are proud that Stan was selected for this prestigious honor," said BLM California State Director Mike Pool. "Over the years thousands of people have benefited from his work, whether they enjoy the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail, ride motorcycles in the Fort Sagle Mountains, or camp and fish at Eagle Lake."

Bales was credited for leading community efforts beginning in the late 1970s to convert the abandoned Fernley and Lassen railroad into the Bizz Johnson Trail between Susanville and Westwood. The trail has been called a model for rails to trails conversions in the United States. He also devoted countless hours to the community coalition that led to preservation of Susanville’s historic railroad depot, and to Susanville and Lassen County work to develop a trails master plan.

He was also recognized for his consensus-building in the Doyle area, where he worked with area residents to create the Fort Sagle Off Highway Vehicle Area. It provides miles of motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and four-wheel-drive trails, managed for limited environmental impacts.

The honor also commended Bales for working closely with the Eagle Lake Interagency Board of Directors and various BLM citizen advisory councils that have been involved in issues ranging from wilderness recommendations to rail banking.

"Stan is an enthusiastic ambassador for the proper use of the public lands," said Dayne Barron, manager of the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office in Susanville. "From working with private landowners to providing information to the Secretary of the Interior, Stan consistently exhibits professionalism and foresight. He is highly deserving of the BLM Legends Award."

Eagle Lake Field Office 2950 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130