Richard Zander
Outstanding Public Lands Professional Award - 2005
Managers/Managerial - Administrative Category
 

THE PUBLIC LANDS FOUNDATION has named Richard Zander, Bureau of Land Management Field Manager of the Buffalo, Wyoming office as the Outstanding Public Lands Professional Manager for 2005.

Foundation President George Lea announced the selection, which recognizes Richard for not only an outstanding career as a minerals specialist with BLM, but for his leadership and professionalism in playing a key role in the development and implementation of extremely controversial management plans intended to carry forward the President's National Energy Strategy.  Richard has made significant contributions in carrying out the development of coal bed natural gas in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming." Lea said.  "Richard's effort to bring divergent interest groups together, with common goals, was not an easy task.  Under intense scrutiny and debate, he worked tirelessly to insure that BLM had processes in place to not only permit environmentally responsible development, but also achieve proper inspection and enforcement and monitoring of natural gas."

This achievement will be permanently inscribed on the "Hall of Fame Award" plaque at the Bureau of Land Management headquarters in Washington, D. C.  This is another example of a professional career employee's willingness to chart new direction in protecting and enhancing natural resources.