San Juan Public Lands People

SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 1 San Juan Public Lands People

News of and for current and past San Juan Public Lands employees & partners

Spring 2008

Animas River Stakeholders Group Receives National Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Animas River Stakeholders Group, based in Silverton, has received national recognition for a more than decade-long effort to improve water quality in the upper Animas River drainage. Stakeholders member Peter Butler of Durango and San Juan Public Lands Center Abandoned Mined Lands Coordi- nator Stephanie Odell were in the nation’s capitol in April to receive the Cooperative Conservation Award for Partnerships in Conservation from Department of the Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. The award recognizes cooperative conservation achieve- ments that involve collaborative activity among a diverse range of entities including federal, state, local, and tribal gov- ernments; private, for profit, and nonprofit institutions; other non-governmental entities; and individuals. The Stakeholders Group is made up of 35 parties who work together to reduce the heavy metals leaching from hundreds of abandoned mine sites in the watershed. Tailings, waste piles, adits, and other mine features have contributed to acid Animas River Stakeholder Group members tour one of 50 mine drainage, impacting streams and rivers in the basin, in rehabilitation projects at abandoned mine sites in the Upper addition to naturally occurring metals contamination. Animas River Drainage. (From left to right) Steve Fearn, In the early 1990s, EPA considered listing the entire upper Project Engineer; Stephanie Odell, Bureau of Land Animas River watershed as a Superfund site, which would Management; John Bowie, PanEnergy Corporation; and Bill have led to considerable expenses. The Stakeholders Group Simon, Stakeholders Coordinator. was formed in an effort to keep the watershed off the Superfund list. Their efforts have paid off. Over the years, the Stakeholders Group has made it pos- sible for industry and federal land agencies to complete about 50 mining remediation projects. The results are improved wa- INSIDE THIS ISSUE ter quality and two reproducing species of trout, which did not exist before, in downstream areas. The group is now fo- Public Lands Center Pg. 2-3 cusing on revitalizing a two-mile stretch of the Animas River Pagosa Office Pg. 4 corridor through the town of Silverton. Dolores Office Pg. 5 “It has been a privilege to work with the Stakeholders cleaning up abandoned mines and improving water quality, natu- Anasazi Heritage Center Pg. 6 ral resources, and recreational experiences, Odell said. “The San Juan Friends Pg. 7 phenomenal cooperation among the group members is dem- Columbine Office Pg. 7 onstrated by their success with all the projects we’ve able to Retiree News/Etc. Pg. 8 complete so far, both on public and private property.” -Ann Bond 2 SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE PUBLIC LANDS CENTER NEWS

BLM Minerals Group Welcomes Tom and Pam

DURANGO – Tom DURANGO - Pam Johnson is the new BLM Leschak has joined the Natural Resource Spe- San Juan minerals cialist/Physical Scientist group as Fluids Geolo- supporting the fluid min- gist. She comes here erals group in the PLC. from the BLM White Tom comes from River Field Office, where Meeker, where he spent she worked as a geolo- one year as a term hy- gist. Her duties include drologist and three months as a permanent Natural Resource processing Applications for Permit to Drill, conducting reser- Specialist/ Physical Scientist in the BLM White River Field voir-management studies on Indian Lands, and monitoring Office. methane and other gas surface seepage in the Northern San Before his federal career, he was a consulting coal geolo- Juan Basin. gist for a decade, working for more than a decade as a Prior to her position in Meeker, she worked for eight years hydogeologist/project manager with CH2M HILL, an environ- with the Office of Production and Development in the Gulf of mental consulting firm. Mexico Region of the Minerals Management Service, an in- Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science/Geology terior agency that regulates oil & gas activities on offshore from the University of Northern Colorado, and a master’s federal leases. degree in Geology from the University of New Orleans Pam holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Geology His favorite hobbies are gardening and home brewing. from the University of South Carolina and Texas A&M Uni- - Ann Bond versity. She enjoys hiking and backpacking and currently mothers one “old and very high-maintenance” cat.

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact (202) 720- 2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, It’s hard work, but someone’s gotta do it! (From left 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., to right) Mark Stiles, Dave Baker, Richard Speegle and Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) Thurman Wilson brave frigid temperatures (and great 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). snow) to monitor conditions at Durango Mountain USDA is an equal opportunity provider and Resort in February. The San Juan is currently employer. conducting an EIS on the resort’s new master plan. SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 3 PUBLIC LANDS CENTER NEWS

Terry’s Handling Lands & Realty Now

DURANGO – Terry Woodall, former San Juan BLM Property & Fleet Management As- sistant, has been named BLM Realty Specialist. She’ll be handling Land Use Authoriza- tions, including right-of-way grants, land-use permits, easements, and leases. Terry will be responsible for land tenure adjustments, including acquisitions, disposals, and exchanges. She’ll also handle withdrawal processing and reviews, trespass, and com- pliance examinations. Terry arrived on the San Juan in 2001 after working with the Social Security Administra- tion. Prior to joining the government workforce, she was a teacher and coach at the Uni- versity of Southern Colorado. Terry spent this spring at the BLM Lands Academy, where she studied for several weeks to prepare for her new position. She also holds bachelor and master degrees in Health, Physical Education, & Recreation from Eastern New Mexico University. Terry has four children; Sharla is a Logistics Engineer with Lockheed Martin, Adam is in para-rescue for Air Force Special Operations, Shannon is working on a degree in broadcast media, and Cheyenne is graduating this spring from the University of New Mexico and entering the Albuquerque Police Academy. - Ann Bond GREEN TEAM NEWS

Library Offers New “Green Help Us Save Paper

Database” Dear Readers -

DURANGO - The We need your help to save money and materials to allow Durango Public Library us to continue getting this newsletter out to you on a quar- has a new environmental terly basis. We provide this newsletter to current San Juan database. GreenFILE is Public Lands employees, past employees, retirees, and part- an online resource de- ners. signed to provide informa- Several of you are already receiv- tion on how to increase ing the newsletter via email, but we’d the positive impacts and like to reach more of you electroni- reduce the negative im- cally. pacts that your lifestyle Please let us know your email ad- has on the environment. dress, so we can send you a color The database includes copy of this newsletter in PDF for- information on installing mat. solar panels, recycling, green agriculture, hybrid cars, waste Just send an email to: management, environmental laws, regulations and studies. [email protected], and let us know GreenFILE is a practical tool for daily living, as well as a that you’d like to “go electronic” and resource for academic study and classroom activities. receive the newsletter on your com- Access to GreenFILE is available on the library web site at puter, rather than via snail mail. www.durangopubliclibrary.org by selecting Information Da- We’ll add your email address to our distribution list, which tabases and then scrolling to the category, General Research/ will allow us to cut our costs and save paper. If you simply Interlibrary Loan. don’t have access to a computer, don’t worry, we’ll still be For more information, call 970 375-3380 or e-mail: glad to mail a hard copy to you. Just let us know. [email protected]. Thanks so much. 4 SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE PAGOSA NEWS

Interp Association Names New Director

PAGOSA SPRINGS - Livia Cloman Lynch, who hiked the Chimney Rock area as a child, is the new Director of the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association (CRIA). Her duties include oversight of the interpretive program, securing and managing funds, and responsibility for day-today operations of the substantial volunteer organization, which consists of five employees and more than 100 volunteers. “We are very happy to have Livia as the director,” said Glenn Raby, Forest Service liaison to CRIA. “She brings a wealth of administrative experience and knowledge to the position Last year, CRIA volunteers helped more than 10,000 visi- Ready, Aim, Fire tors enjoy the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area and Na- tional Historic Site. Volunteers staff the visitor center and pro- Extinguisher Training vide four daily walking tours, seven days a week, from May 15 to September 30. PAGOSA SPRINGS - Duwane Ramey, Training Officer with In addition, CRIA provides school tours and other special the Pagosa Fire Protection District, taught Pagosa office events: Life at Chimney Rock, Native American Cultural Gath- employees how to safely use a fire extinguisher this winter. ering and Dances, and the Full Moon and Night Sky pro- He stressed being familiar with your fire extinguisher be- grams. Operating funds come from tour fees, sales at the gift fore you need it, and first calling 911 in any emergency. shop, donations, and grants. Duwane also says choosing the right type of extinguisher Livia has degrees from Fort Lewis College, Colorado State for the situation is key: University, and the University of Georgia, and has worked in education throughout her career. She looks forward to ex- Class A is for ordinary combustible materials, such as panding the educational aspects of the Chimney Rock Inter- paper, wood, and cardboard. pretive Program. Class B is for flammable or combustible liquids, such as Her father, Jim Cloman, moved to Pagosa Springs in 1947, gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. and the family ranched Class C is for electrical equipment, such as appliances, in the Upper Piedra, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. north of town. Livia’s Class D is for combustible metals, such as magnesium, husband, Bob is a fifth- titanium, potassium and sodium. (Modern automobiles generation member of have magnesium as a component.) the Pagosa community. Bob and Livia re- Duwane uses the acronym, PASS, as a quick reference turned to Pagosa guide on how to use a fire extinguisher. Springs 11 years ago. They recently received a Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher to release the Natural Resource Con- locking mechanism, which will allow you to discharge the servation Service Con- extinguisher. servationist Award for Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. In order to put the innovations they out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel. have applied to the Squeeze the lever slowly to release the extinguishing agent. Cloman family ranch. To stop the discharge, release the handle. - Phyllis Wheaton Sweep from side to side. Move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. - Phyllis Wheaton SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 5 DOLORES NEWS SAN JUAN PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE

is published by the Public Affairs Office of the San Juan Public Lands Center

with assistance from USFS/BLM Visitor Information Staff at our Bayfield, Durango, Dolores and Pagosa Springs Offices Stewarts Retire Together

DOLORES – Cliff and Leslie Stewart She was hired by the Idaho BLM State retired as a team this winter after a com- Office in 1979 as a seasonal Range You can read this newsletter bined FS career of more than 56 years Tech. In 1980, she hired on as a sea- and past issues (Cliff with 31 years, and Leslie with just sonal for the Salmon NF, where she was in color online at: over 25). hired later for her first permanent Range The Stewarts arrived on the Dolores Con position by her future husband. www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan/ RD in 1987; Cliff as Recreation Planner They were married at a historic ranger and Leslie as Range Conservationist. station in Leadore, Idaho, then trans- about/newsletter.shtml They came here from the Buffalo Gap ferred to Wall, South Dakota, as Range National Grasslands on the Nebraska Cons on the Grasslands, where they You can also receive this NF, where both worked as Range Spe- worked for four years. newsletter via email in PDF cialists. Between the two of them there is no format by sending a request In 1995, Cliff switched back to Range lack of hobbies and interests. When not Management when the Dolores RD leathered up and ‘headin’ down the high- via email to: combined with the old Mancos RD. way’ on their Harley, they will be camp- [email protected] Leslie eventually moved out of Range ing, fishing, hiking, birding, and travel- Management into a Service First Ecolo- ing, with “lots botanizing along the way,” To find other helpful gist position for the DPLO and Canyons claims Leslie. (and interesting!) of the Ancients National Monument. The Stewarts plan to keep Dolores as Both graduated with degrees in their home base, where Cliff can’t wait BLM and National Forest Range Management; Cliff from Utah to “putter in the yard” and enjoy their information, go to: State University, and Leslie from home on the Dolores River. Humboldt State University, California. “I’ve enjoyed all the personal and pro- www.fs.fed.us/r2/sanjuan Leslie took a six-month sabbatical in fessional friends I’ve made through the 1996 and earned a masters in Botany years and the chance to influence re- from Brigham Young University. source management at the ground -or- Originally from Utah, Cliff began his level,” Cliff says. “I can’t think of a better FS career in 1976 as a seasonal Range career choice.” www.co.blm.gov/sjra/ Technician on the Sawtooth NF. He “If anyone wants help with identifying index.html landed his first permanent position in plants I’ll still be glad to help,” says 1978 as Range Con on the Salmon NF. Leslie, who, without a doubt, is the au- Leslie is from Riverside, California. thority on local flora. - Toni Kelly 6 SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE DOLORES NEWS

Logan’s the Law

DOLORES - Logan Briscoe, who was handling law enforcement for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, has been named BLM Field Staff Law Enforce- ment Ranger for the entire San Juan Public Lands. His new duties include coordinating and administering law enforcement protection, in conjunction with resource specialists and field office managers. Logan will provide leadership, advice, and guidance on law enforcement actions to protect resources and public safety. He’ll also provide technical guidance to other law enforcement personnel and patrol/surveillance of public lands. For now, his office re- mains at the Anasazi Heritage Center. Logan started his BLM career in a Law Enforcement Student Career Employment Program position in Montrose in 2004. He went to work as a law enforcement ranger for CANM in 2005. He holds two undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Biology, with a minor in Chemistry) from Mesa State College in Grand Junction. Logan enjoys bow hunting, camping, fly fishing, and hiking. He and his wife, Shanda, have a 2 ½-year-old daughter, Kaylee, with another girl on the way. - Ann Bond

AHC/CANM NEWS

Heritage Center Gets New Look

DOLORES - The Anasazi Heritage Center made some appreciate the oral histories of today’s major changes to its so-called “permanent” exhibits over the Pueblo Indians, who preserve impor- winter, including new artifacts and displays. Figures of pio- tant knowledge about how their an- neer archaeologists are on one wall. New exhibits stress the cestors moved through Southwest strong link between the “ancient ones” and today’s tribes. Colorado. Even the walls sport a fresh coat of new paint. Over the centuries, communities “No exhibit is ever really permanent,” says LouAnn surged, dispersed, made alliances, and set boundaries in re- Jacobson, AHC Museum Director. “The archaeology story is sponse to climate change and population pressures. Com- always changing, and we try to change with it.” bining fieldwork with new technologies allows researchers to Research continues to yield surprises about Canyons of reconstruct the ancient environment. the Ancients National Monument. Archaeologists now real- The new exhibit includes simulations of early peoples’ re- ize that many migrations and relocations took place in the sponse to drought and scarcity of fuel or game. New com- Montezuma Valley before AD 1300. They have learned to puter-based exhibits highlight recent insights and a fledgling public database of the museum’s artifact research collection. Some elements of the gallery’s new look were drawn from the 2006 special exhibit Archaeology Grows Up. “It told our main story very well, covering the last century of discoveries and bringing us up to date,” says Chris Kantner, who is installing photographs and recreating exhibit text. Artifact displays now include collections from the Escalante and Dominguez pueblos next to the museum, and from Sand Canyon Pueblo in Canyons of the Ancients. Other displays focus on clothing, hunting, farming, trade, and effigies. A fragmentary stucco mural recovered from a now-obliter- ated kiva on private land illustrates the importance of “sal- vage” archaeology. Pottery and stone artifacts from the Chappell Collection, on loan from the Anasazi Historical So- ciety, are featured in several new display cases. - Michael J. Williams SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE 7 SAN JUAN FRIENDS

Paul’s Ready for Retirement

GRAND JUNCTION - Paul Peck will retire this fall from his current position as Manager of the BLM McInnis Canyons National Conser- vation Area. Paul, who grew up in rural Iowa, began his federal career in 1972 as a seasonal Recreation Technician, cleaning toilets in Poudre Can- yon on the Arapaho-Roosevelt NF. “So I guess I’ve made some progress in my career journey,” he says proudly. After graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Outdoor Recreation and Forestry, Paul transferred to the Pike-San Isabel NF, as a Rec Tech on the Colorado Trail. He then went to work in recreation, wilderness, and timber for the White River NF. In 1980, Paul returned to the Arapaho-Roosevelt as an Assistant District Ranger. Paul arrived on the San Juan NF in 1986 as Mancos District Ranger. In 1994, he became San Juan Partnership and Community Paul Peck at work in McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. Relationships Coordinator. In 1999, he was detailed to the BLM as a Pipeline Project Manager, and in 1990, became Recreation, Wilder- ness, and Partnership Program Lead for the San Juan. Paul left the San Juan for Grand Junction in 2004 to become Man- ager of the BLM McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. “It’s been a pleasure working with employees and partners on quality resource stewardship and public service on projects that are meaningful to people,” Paul says of his career. Paul and his wife Mary plan to stay in the Grand Junction area, where Mary will work one more year as a Teachers Assistant. “I hope to help out with a fire or two over the summer, climb some 14’ers, and enjoy time with my family,” Paul says. They have three grown children: Rebecca, mother of their granddaughter, Acadia; Beth, who plans to start a doctorate program this fall; and Joshua, a senior at Colorado State University majoring in Forest Management. - Ann Bond COLUMBINE NEWS

Jim Expands Recreation Duties

DURANGO – Jim O’Neil, Forestry Technician for the Columbine Ranger District/ Field Office, is taking on new responsibilities and duties this season. Jim has been the lead for developed and dispersed recreation crews. Now, in addition to supervising the developed recreation crew, he’ll now also be assisting with the Columbine’s travel management program. “Jim is extremely dependable and very efficient,” says his supervisor, Mena Show- man, Columbine Developed Recreation Program Leader. “He’s a very good supervisor, and his crews all enjoy working with him. On top of all that, he knows how to fix everything.” Jim moved to the Durango area from Albuquerque in 2001 after retiring from a management position at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. Jim landed his first seasonal position with the Columbine in developed recreation in 2001. Back in the early 1970s, he also fought fires in California. Jim is an amateur archaeologist who loves researching local history. He also enjoys hiking, running, gardening, and reading. - Ann Bond 8 SOUTHWEST PUBLIC LANDS PEOPLE

RETIREES & EMPLOYEES WHAT A WINTER!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Southwest Burger Day - BBQ & Potluck Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Wear western apparel and bring lawn chairs for sitting outside, weather permitting. Bring a salad, vegetable or dessert. BBQ hamburgers and hotdogs provided by the San Juan Leadership Team. Live music provided by the San Juan String Band. Event starts at 11:45 a.m. and finishes with a 1 p.m. Q&A session on current San Juan programs and projects.

Retirees should RSVP by no later than Thursday, June 5th by contacting: Liz Haydon, 970-385-1290, [email protected] or Laura Stransky, 970-385-1216, Dolores Public Lands Office employees Dan Greene, Tom [email protected]. Kelly, Eric Freels, Tom Rice, Lloyd Mcneil, Frank Gonzales, and Ashton Hargrave handle some heavy lifting at the Aspen Guard Station this winter. Reports are they removed some six feet of snow from the roof of the historic CCC structure in February. And it wasn’t easy to get there YOU ARE INVITED either ... the snow removal team negotiated the West Mancos Road via snowmobile in heavy snow conditions.

San Juan Public Lands Center 15 Burnett Court Durango, CO 81301

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