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Bureau of Land Management
Law Enforcement Year-End Review 2004

The Bureau of Land Management Today

Our Vision
To enhance the quality of life for all citizens through the balanced stewardship of America’s public lands and resources.

Our Mission
To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Our Values
To serve with honesty, integrity, accountability, respect, courage, and commitment to make a difference.

Our Priorities
To improve the health and productivity of the land to support the BLM multiple-use mission.

To cultivate community-based conservation, citizen-centered stewardship, and partnership through consultation, cooperation and communication.

To respect, value, and support our employees, giving them resources and opportunities to succeed.

To pursue excellence in business practices, improve accountability to our stakeholders, and deliver better service to our customers.

For more information, contact the Office of Law Enforcement and Security.
BLM-WO-GI-05-004-1800


Director’s Message
For 24 years, I have had the opportunity to be involved in public service in the law enforcement community in the western United States, serving as a Deputy Sheriff, Police Officer, and Conservation Officer. In September 2003, I had the privilege of continuing my work in Natural Resources Law Enforcement when I became the Director of Law Enforcement for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

In the last year I have traveled through the West, meeting the Rangers and Agents who serve in the BLM. The public lands issues they face every day in their States are challenging. In addition, public safety issues at events and locations such as “Glamis,” “Boot Heel,” “Red Rocks,” “Burning Man,” “Ironwood,” “Sand Mountain,” “Lake Havasu,” and “Moab” need special and cooperative law enforcement attention. In this report you will find a few of the thousands of criminal incidents Rangers and Agents have investigated in 2004.

The BLM manages 261 million acres of land. Two hundred fifty-four delegated Rangers and Agents, mainly stationed in the western United States, are responsible for the enforcement of Federal laws and regulations that pertain to the use, management, and development of these public lands and their resources. Federal laws that focus on the protection of these lands and their resources include the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976; Archaeological Resources Protection Act; Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971; Sikes Act; Antiquities Act; Taylor Grazing Act; Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; Clean Water Act; Unlawful Enclosures of Public Lands Act; Title 21 U.S.C. as it relates to public lands through cultivation of a controlled substance, creating a hazard, causing pollution, or using booby traps; and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

BLM law enforcement personnel are responsible for patrolling an immense geographical area. They will continue to cooperate and work closely with County Sheriff’s Offices, State Fish and Game Agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other Federal and State Law Enforcement agencies to protect the visiting public and the natural resources found on your public lands.

I thank the Deputy Sheriffs, City Officers, State Highway Patrol Officers, and State Conservation Officers for their assistance and expertise with calls for assistance from BLM Law Enforcement personnel working in the field. I appreciate your support in 2004 and in the future.

William C. Woody
Director, BLM Office of Law Enforcement and Security


Felicia Probert, Chief Ranger
Felicia Probert has more than 20 years of Federal law enforcement experience, 18 of which are with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Ms. Probert has worked in BLM offices in Ridgecrest and Riverside, California. She presently serves as the National Chief Ranger with responsibility for the National Ranger Program. Ms. Probert holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh.

BLM Ranger Program

There are 200 uniformed law enforcement Rangers presently stationed in more than 100 offices and locations across the West. With more than 260 million acres of public land under the management control of the BLM, the Rangers cover a significant amount of territory by four-wheel drive or all-terrain vehicles, foot, and horseback. Rangers provide the uniformed law enforcement presence on the public lands, with responsibility for enforcing Federal laws and regulations relating to the public lands and resources. Rangers perform a wide variety of tasks, including:

The Ranger workload in several key areas continues to increase commensurate with the increasing visitation levels on the public lands. Unauthorized use of off-highway vehicles (OHV) on public lands can lead to serious environmental degradation. Rangers work to ensure that OHVs are operated only in areas designated for OHV use. Mixing alcohol and drug use with OHV activities can be a deadly combination for the public. Rangers aggressively enforce regulations prohibiting operation of all types of motor vehicles, including OHVs, while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Native American artifacts and prehistoric fossils stolen from public lands continue to command a high price on the black market. By providing high-profile patrols and surveillance of areas rich in cultural resources, Rangers work to prevent incidents of theft and vandalism in the more than 150,000 prehistoric and historic sites on public lands, including ancient dwellings, burial sites, historic trails, cabins, forts, and mines.

Rangers are aided in carrying out their duties by developing working liaison relations with local County or City police departments and other Federal and State land or resource management agencies.


Keith L. Aller, Deputy Director
Keith Aller began his law enforcement career in 1976 as a police officer in Boise, Idaho. Mr. Aller transferred to the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1986, serving in Montana and in Peru, South America. Mr. Aller began his career with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Boise in 1991 and has served as a Special Agent, a Special Agent-in-Charge and, presently, as the Deputy Director for the BLM Office of Law Enforcement and Security. Mr. Aller earned a B.S. degree in Police Science from Weber State University (Ogden, Utah) in 1976.

Special Agents

The criminal investigative function in the BLM Office of Law Enforcement and Security is staffed by about fifty-seven Special Agents. These agents are located primarily in the western States; two are stationed in the East (Wisconsin and Mississippi).

Our Special Agents are responsible for the investigation of long-term, complex cases directly related to public lands administered by the BLM. These types of investigations involve interstate and international issues such as archaeological and paleontological resource theft and trafficking, cultivation and manufacture of illegal drugs, wild horse and burro violations, internal investigations, and wildland arson. These investigations are complicated and challenging, with few witnesses and usually cold and fragmentary evidence. Our Special Agents are frequently expected to respond to isolated, rugged areas and piece together a story that leads to arrest and conviction for crimes that are committed months and even years before their discovery. The Agents are usually experts in several fields of criminal investigation and possess a high level of technical knowledge regarding the various disciplines involved in their investigations. Most of the Special Agents have previous experience with other Federal or local law enforcement agencies and many have previous experience as Law Enforcement Rangers with the BLM, the National Park Service, or the U.S. Forest Service.

Homeland security, although not our primary mission, is considered by the BLM to be extremely important. It requires our Special Agents to work closely with our Federal, State, and local counterparts in local Joint Terrorism Task Forces to ensure the protection of infrastructure and the public. In fact, after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we sent many of our Special Agents and Law Enforcement Rangers to serve as Federal Air Marshals until permanent Air Marshals could be hired, trained, and operational.

In 2004, our Special Agents successfully concluded several investigations that we are especially proud of, and those investigations are included in this report. I hope that this information will be informative and useful to all of our partners.

I especially recognize all of our Special Agents for the job they do and their dedication.


Zachary Oper, Ranger of the Year
Ranger of the Year Zachary Oper’s actions as a Law Enforcement Ranger working for the Bureau of Land Management in the Burley (Idaho) Field Office Area have reflected well upon the agency and himself as an officer. His interaction with a multi-County drug task force has helped to strengthen relations with other law enforcement agencies.

Ranger Oper’s skill as a patrol officer can be credited for the beginning of a chain of events that would expose an international drug organization. His patrol efforts resulted in two traffic stops months apart that netted large amounts of methamphetamine and money. Although many officers would be happy with a couple of “good busts,” Ranger Oper has that extra something it takes to push harder and make bigger things happen—Ranger Oper displayed a drive to follow up on these cases. These efforts led to the information that exposed an international drug operation. His willingness to share information and work with other agencies having law enforcement responsibilities in the same areas has created a strong bond between multiple agencies.

Ranger Oper continues to cooperate with a small, multi-County drug task force. He has even sought alternative funding sources for this task force, which has a limited budget. He also continues to cooperate with the investigation in any way he can.

Ranger Zachary Oper displays the characteristics that make him a truly great Ranger. The Idaho State
Office Law Enforcement Division is extremely proud to have him as an Idaho Ranger.


Noel D. Wagner, Agent of the Year
Special Agent Noel D.Wagner transferred to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office of Law Enforcement and Security Program, New Mexico State Office, at the beginning of September 2003. Agent Wagner brought to this job exceptionally high levels of ability, enthusiasm, drive, attention to detail, determination, dedication to public service, and ethical investigative conduct, which are standards every Agent should strive to reach.

Agent Wagner inherited several complex, long-term Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) investigations that had fallen into disarray as a result of changes in personnel and interagency participation levels. He immediately set about to put these cases back on track and to complete them in a thorough and professional manner. All chargeable offenses remaining in those open cases have now been presented to the U.S. Attorney. One individual was sentenced after pleading guilty to stealing and destroying a BLM surveillance camera installed at an archaeological site. Several other cases are pending prosecutorial review.

At the same time, he opened several other complex ARPA investigations and made consistent progress on each of them. In a single case originating with the theft and trafficking of a priceless American Indian artifact, Agent Wagner’s investigation led to the seizure of the artifact, 5 firearms in the possession of a convicted felon, more than 17 pounds of marijuana, more than 2 pounds of methamphetamine, and many documents related to the suspected trafficking of illegal artifacts. To date, guilty pleas stemming from this case total 5 felony counts, and another 10 felony counts are pending in both the State and Federal systems against defendants in this case. Several other cases have been presented to the U.S. Attorney or are nearing completion.

Agent Wagner also served as the principal journeyman Agent on the BLM Four Corners ARPA Working Group and shouldered a considerable share of the field work of that group in New Mexico, as well as in cases in Arizona and Utah. In addition to his present workload, Agent Wagner volunteered for Internal Affairs training so that he could be available if needed to assist the National Office.

Agent Wagner’s work is consistently of the highest caliber in every category. He is a tremendous asset to the BLM and to the Office of Law Enforcement and Security.


Highlights of Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Activities for Fiscal Year 2004

Number of incidents by general category (except as otherwise noted)

Theft:
• ARPA¹ or Paleontological 67
• Minerals 40
• Timber 135
• Other 116

Vandalism:
• ARPAa or Paleontological 68
• Government Property 453

Fire:
• Arson 78
• Negligent or Other 251

Off-Highway Vehicle:
• DUI² 140
• Other (includes safety 6,283 violations, riding in closed areas, open containers, and recklessness)

Search and Rescue: 180

Drug:
• Sale and Manufacture 271
• Possession 845
• Seizures
Processed 3,731 pounds
Plants 119,798

Wild Horse and Burro: 133

Hazardous Materials: 102

Trespass: 109

Assault:
• Law Enforcement
Officers (assaulted) 18
• Aggravated 13
• Simple 26

¹ Archaeological Resources Protection Act

² Driving Under the Influence


ALASKA STATE OFFICE
222 W. 7th Avenue, #13
Anchorage, AK 99513
Phone: 907-271-6622
Fax: 907-271-4587

Bradley England (Biography)

A native of Bellevue, Washington, Bradley England was involved in a number of recreation and outdoor education programs before beginning his law enforcement career in 1986. Shortly after graduating from the San Diego Sheriff’s Academy, Mr. England became a Special Agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and ultimately served in various investigative, special operations, and counter-intelligence assignments throughout the world. Mr. England came to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Mr. England holds a B.A. degree in History from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Alaska BLM Law Enforcement Issues

With some 86 million acres of BLM-administered lands and 2 million visitors to these lands every year, BLM’s law enforcement issues in Alaska are wide-ranging. Our lands cover the breadth of the Alaskan landscape and include the 22-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, the Steese National Conservation Area, the White Mountain National Recreation Area, six wild and scenic rivers, and the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The Law Enforcement Staff in Alaska is composed of Special Agent-in-Charge England, one Special Agent, five Law Enforcement Rangers, and one Law Enforcement Assistant.

The protection of BLM employees, the public, and our resources are law enforcement’s highest priorities. BLM Rangers routinely conduct extended on- and off-road patrols throughout the State, often over vast distances and in extreme weather conditions. Special Agents and Rangers must often deal with situations involving violations of resource and wildlife protection laws, trespass cases, and permit violations. Our personnel actively participate in security matters related to the protection of our Nation’s critical infrastructure, specifically on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Our staff provides a law enforcement presence at heavily attended special events, such as the Iditarod Sled Dog Race and the Arctic Man Snowmobile Classic. Rangers and Special Agents provide security and investigative expertise on wildland fires—the 2004 Alaska fire season happened to be the worst in recorded history.

The BLM law enforcement program continues to foster positive relations with our State and Federal law enforcement partners and, most important, with the public.


ARIZONA STATE OFFICE
222 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phone: 602-417-9317
Fax: 602-417-9545

Lyle Shaver (Biography)

In December of 2004, Lyle Shaver completed 20 years of Federal law enforcement service. He has been the Special Agent-in-Charge since August 2002. Before his current position he was employed by the U.S. Forest Service for 27 years in a variety of law enforcement and fire management positions. Mr. Shaver holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University.

Arizona BLM Law Enforcement Issues

The majority of the law enforcement issues in Arizona are affiliated with four major areas: archaeological investigations, fire investigations, heavy recreation use along the Lower Colorado River corridor, and drug and illegal immigrant smuggling along the international border. The BLM’s law enforcement personnel in Arizona include 5 Special Agents, 1 State Staff Ranger, and 29 uniformed Rangers who provide enforcement and conduct investigations pertaining to the renewable and nonrenewable land resources.

A large issue facing BLM law enforcement personnel in Arizona is the effects related to the international border with Mexico. Historically, Arizona has been used as a smuggling corridor. The majority of the border is separated by a five-strand wire fence. Entry at almost any point along this fence is easily accomplished by simply cutting or driving through the fence. Along this border are many points of illegal entry used by drug and illegal immigrant smugglers. The trafficking of drugs and illegal immigrants through the Sonoran Desert National Monument (Vekol Valley), the Ironwood Forest National Monument, the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, and the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area has resulted in heavy resource damage from the trash and off-road travel by smugglers. There is also a serious threat to employee and public safety when working or visiting in these areas.

Arizona has thousands of archaeological sites. The theft, exploitation, and destruction of cultural resources have long been identified by the BLM in Arizona as a major problem. BLM law enforcement personnel in Arizona have a significant history of conducting investigations of violations of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) and have had many successful prosecutions. Many cases are presently being developed at different stages of investigation.

Water-based recreation along the Lower Colorado River continues to increase and represents the single greatest workload for BLM law enforcement personnel in the Lake Havasu and Yuma Field Offices. Problems with disorderly conduct, motor vehicle and boating accidents, violence, theft, and vandalism are common and occur in both developed and dispersed recreation sites. Alcohol is often a contributing factor. Arrests and citations for underage drinking and operating a boat or vehicle while under the influence of alcohol occur regularly.


CALIFORNIA STATE OFFICE
2800 Cottage Way
Room W-1834
Sacramento, CA 95825
Phone: 916-978-4457
Fax: 916-978-4455

Roger Bruckner (Biography)

Roger Bruckner has had a 33-year career in law enforcement. After his honorary discharge from military service he became a police officer in Roy, Washington, and later served as Chief of Police. Mr. Bruckner began his Federal career with the U.S. Department of Justice as a Federal Correction Officer. He transferred into the U.S. Customs Service as a Customs Patrol Officer in El Paso, Texas, where he later became a Special Agent, transferring to the Department of the Interior in 1989. Mr. Bruckner became Special Agent-in-Charge for California in 1995. He served as the Acting
National Law Enforcement Director for 14 months.

California BLM Law Enforcement Issues

California has the fifth largest economy in the world, with a diverse landscape and a population of 35 million people. The BLM law enforcement program is responsible for protecting the public safety and resources. Our Ranger force has doubled over the past 10 years, and presently consists of 64 Rangers in 16 Field Office locations. Eight Special Agents work from seven separate localities to cover the State’s complex investigations.

BLM law enforcement is complicated by the effects of visitors to the Los Angeles Basin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the greater San Diego Area. Recreational visits to public lands in California have increased to 20 million visitors annually. Resource protection, land fraud, violations of the Wild Horse and Burro Act, hazardous materials, and archaeological resource protection are our mission areas of enforcement for California. Organized cultivation of marijuana is on the rise in this State because of the mild climate and lengthy growing season. These growers endanger BLM employees, as well as individuals who rely on public lands to be open and safe for hunting, fishing, camping, and family recreation, by using armed guards, intimidation, and booby traps to protect their crops. The BLM has seized and eradicated 232,123 plants from public lands since January 2003. Arrests increased 50% from 2002 to 2003 because of increased alien border traffic, as the smuggling of illegal aliens and drugs invade Federal lands as never before along the California–Mexican Border.

In California, the BLM has partnerships with County, State, and Federal agencies to coordinate interagency task forces to combat increased crime on public lands. We presently have Memorandum of Understanding agreements with 25 Counties and 17 other State and Federal agencies. BLM law enforcement continues to diversify and expand its mission with Homeland Security issues of national resource and critical infrastructure asset protection.


COLORADO AND EASTERN STATES OFFICE
2850 Youngfield Street
Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone: 303-239-3803
Fax: 303-239-3896

John Z. Silence (Biography)

In February 2004, John Silence completed 32 years of Federal service. He first came to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a Special Agent in 1987. In January 1995, Mr. Silence was selected as the Special Agent-in-Charge for Colorado and, since March 2000, has also served as the Special Agent-in-Charge for the BLM Eastern States—the 31 States east of and adjoining the Mississippi River. Mr. Silence has more than 29 years of experience with natural resource law enforcement. Before coming to the BLM, Mr. Silence served with the U.S. Forest Service in Colorado.

Colorado–ES BLM Law Enforcement Issues

The Colorado–Eastern States law enforcement program consists of four Special Agents located in Lakewood and Grand Junction, Colorado; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Jackson, Mississippi. Law enforcement personnel provide investigative and patrol support to approximately 8.33 million surface acres and 66.7 million subsurface acres of public land administered by the BLM within the Colorado and Eastern States Region. There are 13 uniformed Law Enforcement Rangers in various locations in Colorado, and 1 Ranger located in Springfield, Virginia.

Annually, Colorado and the Eastern States host wild horse and burro adoptions at various locations throughout Colorado and the Eastern States, allowing the BLM to introduce and make wild horses and burros available to the public. Law enforcement assistance to the program generally consists of locating suspected violators of the Wild Horse and Burro Act and the Bureau’s Preventive Care and Maintenance Agreement

Colorado has extensive archaeological resources, which include American Indian burial locations, petroglyphs, permanent and seasonal sites, rock shelters, historical work sites, and granaries. Colorado also has a high concentration of paleontological resources. Although most of the sites are located in remote areas, they are highly sought after by collectors. All of these resources are at risk of theft, vandalism, and abuse.

The greatest undesirable effect on public lands is the threat to visitor safety and the safety of BLM employees resulting from the presence of drug use on public lands. Colorado will continue to aggressively pursue ways to eliminate the possession, use, manufacturing, and trafficking of controlled substances—specifically marijuana—on the public lands.

Of the issues associated with BLM public lands, visitor use accounts for the highest increase in law enforcement activities. Public interest in outdoor activities, including off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, mountain bike riding, camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, white water rafting, target shooting, and other outdoor activities, increases every year, and has been spurred on by the BLM’s interest in providing more recreational opportunities within its lands. The primary issue of concern is OHV use. The law enforcement role is to obtain public compliance with BLM and State OHV regulations and use.


IDAHO STATE OFFICE
1387 S. Vinnel Way
Boise, ID 83709
Phone: 208-373-4027
Fax: 208-373-4026

Loren Good (Biography)

Special Agent Loren Good started his law enforcement career in 1993 with the National Park Service as a Park Ranger at Saguaro National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Monument. After transferring to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 1997, he held positions of District Ranger in Craig, Colorado, and Moab, Utah. In 2000, Good was promoted to a BLM Special Agent position in Moab, working on Archaeological Resources Protection Act violations and paleontological theft cases. He has been Acting Special Agent-in-Charge in Idaho since May 2004. Agent Good holds degrees in Forest Recreation, Criminology, and Emergency Medical Services from Oregon State University and Trinidad (Colorado) State Junior College.

Idaho BLM Law Enforcement Issues

The Idaho law enforcement program is responsible for the protection of Idaho’s diverse resources, such as wild horses, rangelands, and cultural and paleontological resources. The Idaho BLM law enforcement program consists of three Special Agents and nine Law Enforcement Rangers.

The Law Enforcement Rangers enforce regulations and provide high-visibility patrols in Idaho’s unique areas, such as the St. Anthony Sand Dunes Recreation Area, Coeur d’Alene Lake Recreation Area, Craters of the Moon National Monument, and the 485,000-acre Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

Idaho’s law enforcement program has enhanced its resource protection capabilities by entering into funded law enforcement agreements with half of Idaho’s 44 County Sheriff’s Offices. The Sheriffs use the funds to pay salaries and purchase specialized equipment for Deputies patrolling Idaho’s public lands. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and BLM’s Idaho Falls District have proven the effectiveness of this program with an agreement for the St. Anthony Sand Dunes Recreation Area. The BLM provides a cost-share agreement with the County for $25,000. The County is then able to provide a full-time Deputy during the high-use season at the sand dunes.

The Special Agents in Idaho’s law enforcement program are responsible for providing more complex investigations into violations such as illegal drug production on public lands, wildland fire investigations, and archaeological theft. Idaho’s archaeological resources range from 12,000 years to only several hundred years in age. Many of these sites are associated with the Snake River and its tributaries. Idaho contains significant historical trails used in previous centuries for transcontinental migration, including the route of the Oregon Trail.


MONTANA STATE OFFICE
5001 Southgate Drive
Billings, MT 59101
P.O. Box 36800
Billings, MT 59103
Phone: 406-896-5183
Fax: 406-896-5291

Bart Fitzgerald (Biography)

Special Agent-in-Charge Bart Fitzgerald has worked in criminal investigations with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for 14 years. Before working for the BLM, Mr. Fitzgerald was a criminal investigator for the U.S. Customs Service in Arizona. He holds Masters and Bachelors degrees in public administration from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota BLM Law Enforcement Issues

The BLM manages 8.4 million acres of public land and 47 million acres of subsurface land in the Montana–Dakotas (MT–DK) region. The safety of our personnel and the integrity of our resources are patrolled and policed by 11 Rangers and 3 Investigators.

BLM law enforcement officers in Montana continue to view protection and security of employees and public land users as a main priority. One of our new challenges is the huge interest in off-highway vehicle (OHV) travel. There are thousands more OHVs now than 10 years ago, and more cross-country trails are being created daily. Violations are becoming frequent problems as officers try to protect natural and wildlife resources. The MT–DK region was one of the first to issue statewide travel OHV regulations in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. The State of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Division has adopted many of BLM’s OHV regulations. BLM officers are working with Montana game wardens to multiply enforcement efforts.

Other law enforcement issues include the illegal destruction or removal of archaeological and paleontological resources. Our outlying areas continue to experience vandalism. Human-caused wildfires have been a source of added concern during the West’s extended drought. Several wildfire investigations are ongoing, including a 2002 fire that nearly destroyed the city of Deadwood, South Dakota. In addition to archaeological theft, the rising value of oil, gas, and other minerals is creating opportunities for minerals theft from public lands.

The events of September 11, 2001, and international terrorism have made BLM’s 65 miles of border with Canada a new law enforcement concern. The BLM has added an officer on the northern border to work with the U.S. Border Patrol, the Canadians, and other agencies on border issues.

The National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Celebration has started. Several of the trail commemorations over the next 2 years will take place on BLM lands, recognizing that the MT–DK area contains 310 miles of the trails. BLM law enforcement officers will be providing security, crowd control, and search and rescue services for the signature events in Montana.


NEVADA STATE OFFICE
1340 Financial Blvd.
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: 775-861-6446
Fax: 775-861-6512

Mark Pirtle (Biography)

With more than 19 years in Federal law enforcement service, Mr. Pirtle became Acting Special Agent-in-Charge in August 2004. He began his Federal career as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Los Angeles, California, after service with the Army’s military police. He was a special agent in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon State Office before moving to the Nevada State Office in January 1996 as a Special Agent. Mr. Pirtle has a B.S. degree in Forestry from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Nevada BLM Law Enforcement Issues

In Nevada, about 48 million acres of public land are administered by the BLM. These lands make up 68% of the State. Resources are diverse and range from traditional uses, such as grazing and mining, to the demands and societal problems that accompany a rapid population growth.

The law enforcement staff consists of 4 Special Agents, a State Staff Ranger, 20 Rangers, and a Student Career Experience Program employee. Half the Rangers are stationed in rapidly growing Clark County, associated with the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Visitation there approaches 2 million people each year. The other Rangers work in northern Nevada.

The largest permitted recreational event on BLM-managed lands is the Burning Man event. In 2004, about 35,000 individuals came to the Black Rock Desert, Winnemucca Field Office. Although most participants peacefully displayed artwork and meandered through the tent city, there were 397 incidents and 208 citations in a 10-day period. Half the citations were drug-related.

Perennial concerns include grazing regulation and enforcing the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Grazing trespass may be taking a new path as cases are being taken to criminal court. Illegal shooting of wild horses is a highly emotional crime that occurs in Nevada. Traditional uses, combined with the demand of visitors and new citizens, result in Nevada law enforcement personnel handling one the BLM’s largest numbers of law enforcement incidents.

Archaeological resources are sometimes vandalized in Nevada, where it is difficult to monitor ancient resources. Hazardous materials incidents are a frequent occurrence, involving everything from mining-related incidents, such as material spills or contamination of water sources, to illegal dumping of diesel fuel and batteries.


NEW MEXICO STATE OFFICE
1474 Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: 505-438-7483
Fax: 505-438-7693

Pamela A. Stuart (Biography)

Pamela Stuart began her Federal career in 1977 with the U.S. Forest Service as a seasonal firefighter in Idaho. She subsequently worked for the National Park Service in North Carolina, Montana, Nevada, and Michigan. She began her career with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Moab, Utah, in 1989, as the first District Ranger in the Moab Office, as well as the District Hazmat Coordinator. Ms. Stuart transferred to Phoenix in 1992 to become a Special Agent, and then transferred to Montana. In 2001, she was selected as the Special Agent-in-Charge for Alaska. In 2003, she became the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New Mexico program. Ms. Stuart holds a B.S. degree in Geography from Northern Illinois University.

New Mexico BLM Law Enforcement Issues

The BLM State Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico, manages 60,510,840 surface and subsurface acres in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. New Mexico’s population of 1,686,299 is projected to rise to 2,380,802 by 2020, bringing an increase in the urban interface issues already facing the BLM. The Law Enforcement Program consists of 6 Special Agents (5 in New Mexico, 1 in Oklahoma), a State Staff Ranger, an LE Technician, and 13 uniformed Rangers (12 in New Mexico, and 1 in Texas).

New Mexico has the largest cultural resources management program in the BLM. One Special Agent is devoted full-time to Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) crimes and is a member of a four-State ARPA investigative team. Investigations of paleontological thefts are on the rise. Agents also investigate incidents of vegetative theft, Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act violations, and hazardous materials violations.

New Mexico has one of the largest oil and gas programs in the BLM, with more than 45 million acres of mineral estate and more than 2 million acres of American Indian mineral estate. Many minerals violations and thefts are handled through administrative or civil means, and about five criminal investigations are conducted each year.

Public lands in New Mexico hosted nearly 2 million outdoor recreation visits last year. Recreation activity generates a large public safety and resource protection workload. BLM officers take an active role in hunting and fishing enforcement on public lands. Other resource and recreation crimes occurring on public lands involve abandoned property, camping and fee violations, permitted or authorized use, health and safety, closures, traffic offenses, and occupancy trespass violations.

Much of the 180 miles of predominantly desolate border with Mexico is BLM-managed land. There are numerous points of illegal entry used by drug and alien smugglers, and many of these are on or near BLM public lands. Resource damage and visitor, employee, and public safety are related BLM law enforcement issues.


OREGON STATE OFFICE
333 S.W. First Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
P.O. Box 40568
Portland, OR 97240
Phone: 503-808-6469
Fax: 503-808-6356

Robert Magill (Biography)

Robert “Craig” Magill has been with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) since 1978 and in BLM law enforcement since 1981. Mr. Magill has been the Special Agent-in-Charge in Portland, Oregon, since 2000; before that he was the Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge in Portland for 8 years. He has also been stationed as a BLM officer in Bakersfield, El Centro, Riverside, and San Diego, California. Mr. Magill has an A.S. degree in Law Enforcement and a B.S. degree in Social Science.

Oregon–Washington BLM Law Enforcement Issues

The BLM in Oregon and Washington manages about 16 million acres of surface land and an additional 39.9 million acres of subsurface land. These lands contain about 30% of the Bureau’s total cultural and natural resources, and roughly 30% of the Bureau’s total employees work here. The BLM in Oregon and Washington has 22 Law Enforcement Rangers and 6 Special Agents involved in patrol and investigative activities supporting 10 District and 25 Resource Area Offices and numerous smaller offices.

The public lands in the Pacific Northwest include thousands of recorded and unrecorded Native American cultural and historical sites. Because many sites are located in remote and isolated areas, they are the target of looters. BLM law enforcement personnel coordinate with other Federal and State law enforcement agencies, resulting in successful investigations leading to the arrests and prosecutions of individuals violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. Timber and other forest products are also illegally taken and commercially sold because of their high values.

The remoteness of public land can also be the target of drug traffickers who cultivate marijuana and manufacture methamphetamine. During Fiscal Year (FY) 2004, drug investigations by BLM Rangers and Special Agents, along with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers, resulted in 132 drug-related investigations involving the seizure of about 8,000 marijuana plants, the arrest of 38 persons for drug offenses, and the seizure of 13 illicit drug laboratories.

BLM law enforcement officers participate in the Pacific Northwest Interagency Wildland Arson Task Force and the Central Oregon Arson Task Force. In the last year, 134 incidents related to wildland arson, unauthorized burning, unattended campfires, and violation of fire prevention orders were investigated by BLM Rangers and Special Agents. BLM officers also investigated 586 incidents involving the illegal dumping or disposal of hazardous and nonhazardous materials on public land in Oregon and Washington during fiscal year 2004. Other violations on public lands include vandalism, theft, driving or boating under the influence of alcohol, drug possession, littering, failure to pay use fees, vehicle use violations, and abandoned property.


UTAH STATE OFFICE
324 S. State Street, Ste. 301
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
P.O. Box 45155
Salt Lake City, UT 84145
Phone: 801-539-4084 or
(toll free) 800-722-3998
Fax: 801-539-4220

Larry Shackelford (Biography)

In August 2004, Larry Shackelford completed 20 years of Federal law enforcement service. He has been the Special Agent-in-Charge since April 2004, and presently serves as a critical stress incident management counselor for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Mr. Shackelford has more than 11 years experience with BLM law enforcement, working in the BLM Utah State Office in Salt Lake City, as well as Billings, Montana, and Casper, Wyoming. Mr. Shackelford holds a B.S. degree in Business Communications–Public Relations from Southwest Missouri State University.

Utah BLM Law Enforcement Issues

Most law enforcement issues in Utah are affiliated with four major areas: fire, archaeological and paleontology investigations; and issues surrounding the complex and controversial road situation known as Revised Statute 2477 (R.S. 2477). BLM law enforcement in Utah has 4 Special Agents, 1 State Staff Ranger, and 17 uniformed Rangers who conduct investigations pertaining to the renewable and nonrenewable land resources.

In March 1997, the Utah BLM law enforcement program began working with the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Program at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah, in Salt Lake City. The ACE Program has been extremely successful in obtaining recoveries, settlements, and judgments associated with fire investigations and other resource violations, fire suppression, and rehabilitation costs to the BLM; to date the Program has recovered $10.8 million as a result of investigations conducted by BLM law enforcement officers.

Utah has several significant archaeological sites, including the Anasazi complex at Grand Gulch; rock art at Nine Mile Canyon, Newspaper Rock, and the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument; as well as numerous high-value Anasazi sites throughout the southeastern corner of the State. The volume of theft and destruction of these significant archaeological resources is high and continues to be an important focus of BLM law enforcement efforts in Utah.

The State of Utah has one of the highest concentrations of fossils in the United States, including the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry and the Morrison Formation on BLM lands. These areas contain significant numbers of high-value dinosaur fossils, and nearly all of the known Allosaurus specimens in the world were obtained from the Morrison Formation. Utah has conducted many investigations pertaining to fossil theft, and in September 2002 an individual was convicted of a felony after illegally removing an Allosaurus from the Morrison Formation and selling the fossil to a company in Japan. The BLM Law Enforcement Office presently has two other Allosaurus fossil investigations that involve international consignees.


WYOMING STATE OFFICE
5353 Yellowstone Road
Cheyenne, WY 82009
Phone: 307-775-6266
Fax: 307-775-6028

Michael J. Miller (Biography)

Michael J. Miller has served as the Special Agent-in-Charge in Wyoming since February 2001. Previously, he was a Special Agent for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), working at the Casper Field Office. Mr. Miller was the Senior Special Agent for the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General in Denver, before coming to the BLM. Mr. Miller began his Federal service in 1981 with the Internal Revenue Service. He holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from William Penn College.

Wyoming BLM Law Enforcement Issues

Most of the law enforcement issues in Wyoming are associated with five major areas: paleontological, wild horse, and archaeological investigations; minerals; and off-highway vehicles usage. The BLM Wyoming law enforcement program has three Special Agents and seven uniformed Rangers who conduct investigations pertaining to the renewable and nonrenewable land resources.

One of Wyoming’s unique programs is paleontology. Discovered in 1997, the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is the largest in Wyoming and one of only a few worldwide from the Middle Jurassic Period. Wyoming also has large dinosaur fossils and one of the largest concentrations of small fish fossils in the United States. Many cases of fossil thefts have been prosecuted.

Wyoming has more than 3,800 wild horses in 16 Herd Management Areas. Law enforcement personnel participated on a task force involving local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies to investigate the shooting deaths of more than 30 wild horses. The investigation resulted in the conviction of four defendants responsible for the theft of more than 250 wild horses from public lands. Law enforcement officers also work with the Wild Horse and Burro Compliance Specialist on numerous Private Maintenance and Care Agreement violations by adopters in Wyoming and Nebraska

Four National Historic Trails have more than 60% of the mileage in the State under BLM stewardship. The Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express Trails total 340 miles. Wyoming contains intact trail remains that include emigrant etchings, American Indian petroglyphs, and original wagon ruts. Vandalism of the trails and sites is a problem.

The BLM manages 41.6 million acres of subsurface minerals—about two-thirds of the State. Wyoming is presently number one in the Nation in coal, oil, and bentonite production and number two in natural gas, although coal bed natural gas development may change this.

BLM lands in Wyoming provide recreational opportunities for the region and the Nation. More and more visitors to Wyoming are discovering the beauty and breathing room that public lands provide. BLM land in Wyoming has 2.3 million visitor use days, which is 4.6 times the entire population of the State. Off-highway vehicles violations are one of the biggest recreation issues.


Significant Activity Reports from the Bureau of Land Management


How to Apply for Jobs with the Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement

Vacancies for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Law Enforcement positions can be found at www.usajobs.opm.gov. There are several ways to search for jobs on this Web site. The most common methods are to search by job series or agency. Ranger positions are in occupational series 1801 and Special Agent positions are in series 1811. If you are interested in applying for one of the positions listed in the usajobs Web site, you can link directly to BLM’s QuickHire system.

QuickHire, located at https://jobs.quickhire.com/scripts/blm.exe, is BLM’s on-line application system. QuickHire enables you to check for available jobs with BLM; you can also create, edit, and archive your resume and apply for jobs on-line. Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) vacancies are occasionally listed on this site, but most law enforcement SCEP positions are filled at the Field Office or State Office levels through outreach efforts at colleges, universities, organizations, BLM events, and from the Student Temporary Employment Program, which targets underepresented groups.

During fiscal year 2004, the Office of Law Enforcement and Security (OLES) had seven law enforcement SCEPs (three were female, four were male) funded by the BLM. Funded at $175,000, the program was a joint effort between OLES and the Washington Office of Human Resources. This effort not only improves the diversity of the program but provides an opportunity for these students to better understand the program before graduation.


KNOW THE LAW…DON’T DRINK AND RIDE!
Keeping the Dunes a safe, clean and fun place for all outdoor enthusiasts is your responsibility.
Drinking and driving laws apply off-highway.

Don’t Let This Be Your Last Ride!

The BLM’S Director of Law Enforcement and Security has made it clear,
“Let there be no misunderstanding, we will strongly enforce all DUI laws in full cooperation
with state and local law enforcement agencies at all off-road recreation locations.”


The mention of company names, trade names, or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the Federal Government.


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