BLM Names New Manager for Applegate Field Office
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ALTURAS, Calif. – Craig Drake, a natural resource management professional with 24 years of experience, has been named field manager for the Bureau of Land Management's Applegate Field Office based in Alturas.
"Craig's broad experience in natural resources and public land management will be an excellent fit with our team in the Applegate Field Office," said Nancy Haug, manager of the BLM Northern California District. "He has great experience working with communities, an important role for our field managers."
In his new role, Drake will oversee management of about 1.2 million acres of public lands in Modoc, Lassen, eastern Shasta, and eastern Siskiyou counties in California and Washoe County in Nevada. The field office has a staff of 29 based in Alturas and at the Surprise Field Station in Cedarville.
"Being born and raised in northern Nevada, I have been missing the Great Basin," Drake said. "The Great Plains of eastern Montana are fascinating, but taking this job feels like coming home."
Drake comes to northern California from Billings, Mont., where he is currently assistant field manager for the BLM Billings Field Office. He has responsibilities in most BLM natural resource management areas including a rangeland management program that includes more than 350 livestock grazing allotments and large-scale recreation, cultural resources, wildlife and realty programs.
Drake holds a bachelor's degree in natural resource management with an emphasis in hydrology from the University of Nevada, Reno.
He reports to Alturas in November.
Drake replaces Dennis Sylvia, who retired earlier this year.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.