EMS TRANSMISSION 09/11/2007

Information Bulletin No. 2008-109

 

To:                   All Field Officials

 

From:               Assistant Director, Minerals, Realty, and Resource Protection

 

Subject:            Land and Realty Program - Realignment of Duties and Responsibilities

 

Program Area: Lands and Realty – Withdrawals, Waterpower, and Military Liaison Programs

 

This Information Bulletin (IB) updates the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Lands and Realty functions and contact list noting areas of responsibility and general duties. Recent retirements have left key positions in the BLM Land Withdrawals Program Area vacant, resulting in a realignment of staff duties and responsibilities within the Washington Office Division of Lands, Realty and Cadastral Survey (WO‑350) and zone offices.

 

The Southern, Central, and Northern Zone Withdrawals Coordinator positions have been combined into one National Withdrawals Coordinator position located in the Oregon State Office. The military liaison position duties have been reassigned within the WO-350. Hazardous waste, unexploded ordinance and contamination issues will no longer be handled in WO-350 and should be referred to the Washington Office Division of Engineering and Environmental Services (WO-360).

 

The Land and Realty positions identified below and corresponding areas of responsibilities and duties are as follows:

 

Vanessa Engle

Washington, D.C. (WO-350)

202-452-7776

 

This position is responsible for overall program leadership and policy guidance in addition to being the key contact for BLM on issues before the Bureau and the Department of the Interior. The National Withdrawals Program Lead also serves as the Withdrawals Coordinator for the Eastern States Office.

 

Celeste Mitchell

Washington, D.C. (WO-350)

202-452-7737

 

This position is responsible for policy, direction and guidance on all issues pertaining to military use of public lands including military withdrawals subject to the provisions of the Engle Act and base realignments and relinquishments. Hazardous waste, unexploded ordinance and contaminations issues are to be referred to WO-360. The National Military Liaison also provides policy and guidance for the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act (Public Law 106-355) and U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse relinquishments.

 

Victor Lozano

Denver Federal Center (WO-350)

303-236-9512

 

This position is responsible for policy, budget, direction and guidance on all issues pertaining to the Hydropower licensing and re‑licensing efforts affecting public lands. The National Waterpower and Reservoir Resource Program Lead also provides policy and guidance for classifications, reservations, and designations of public lands having undeveloped water-power and reservoir potential in addition to overseeing the waterpower and hydro-power inventory.

 

Michael Barnes

Oregon State Office (OR-926)

503-808-6155

 

This position is responsible for technical and operational oversight and quality control in all aspects of the withdrawals program. The National Withdrawals Coordinator also provides program guidance and assistance to State and Field Offices on withdrawals relating to land use planning and subsequent withdrawal case processing. Coordinates all withdrawal related actions between the States (excluding Eastern States) and WO-350.

Questions relating to specific withdrawals program areas should be directed to the individuals listed above. If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this IB, please contact Vanessa Engle, Lands and Realty Division (WO-350), at 202-452-7776.