BLM Announces Three Selections for National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board

The Bureau of Land Management announced today that it has made selections for three positions held by National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board members whose terms expired November 6, 2009.  After a review of 51 nominations received, the BLM has selected H. Paul Durbin as a new appointee for the category of Wildlife Management, Timothy J. Harvey as a new appointee for the category of Humane Advocacy, and Gary Zakotnik as a re-appointed member for the category of Livestock Management.  These individuals will each serve three-year terms as members of the Advisory Board.

The filling of these positions is separate from the BLM’s June 21 announcement that it is seeking nominations for positions representing three categories of interest (Natural Resource Management, Wild Horse and Burro Research, and Public Interest with special knowledge of equine behavior).  The nomination packages for those positions must be submitted by August 5, 2010.

The BLM’s announcement comes as the agency is seeking public input on its effort to put the national Wild Horse and Burro Program on a sustainable track.  The public is encouraged to visit the BLM’s Home Page (www.blm.gov) to provide comments on  the Bureau’s wild horse Strategy Development Document.

H. Paul Durbin, the new Wildlife Management appointee, is a retired financial professional and member of the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Arizona Elk Society.  Mr. Durbin, who lives in Chandler, Arizona, is a lifelong hunter, angler, and outdoorsman who appreciates the legacy and importance of the public lands.  Mr. Durbin’s interest lies in the quality management of public land resources.  Mr. Durbin succeeds Larry Johnson of Black Eagle Consulting, Inc., who served until his position was filled.

Timothy J. Harvey, the new Humane Advocacy appointee, lives in Campton, New Hampshire, and is the owner of Merry-Go-Round Pens, LLC, and a lessee/operator of a 78-stall facility.  A horse professional for more than 20 years, including extensive experience as a trainer, Mr. Harvey is also an established clinician and organizer for equine professional events.  His specialties include hoof care and colt starting.  He is an innovator and operator for a therapeutic riding program centered on fostering emotional well-being, primarily for abuse victims and people with anger management issues.  Mr. Harvey succeeds Richard Sewing, who passed away last year.

Gary Zakotnik, the re-appointed member for the category of Livestock Management, is a rancher who lives in Eden, Wyoming.  Mr. Zakotnik, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from the University of Wyoming, owns a cattle operation in western Wyoming and has permits with the BLM in allotments that include wild horses.  He has on-the-ground experience working with BLM allotment management plans, forage allocation, and rangeland monitoring to protect the land’s resources.

The nine-member National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board advises the BLM and the USDA Forest Service on the management, protection, and control of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands and national forests administered by those agencies, as mandated by the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.  Members of the board, who represent various categories of interests, must have a demonstrated ability to analyze information, evaluate programs, identify problems, work collaboratively, and develop corrective actions.
 
The BLM manages more land – more than 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency.  This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska.  The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

Washington Office   1849 C Street N.W., Washington DC