Endorsement from the Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management for the state of Arizona, David Tenney

"At a time when the whole world is watching California forests burn up, due in a large part to mismanagement, Richard Lunt knows it is more important than ever that we continue the fight to restore and save Arizona forests," said David Tenney, Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Management for the state of Arizona. "Richard is one of a handful of county officials in northeastern Arizona that were critical in the formation of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. He was persistent and forceful as he worked with the federal government, including the Secretary and Under Secretary of Department of Agriculture, the Chief of the Forest Service, congressional leaders in both the House of Representatives and the Senate as well as local and regional Forest Service officials in an effort to bring significant change to forest management policies and practices in Arizona. He successfully lobbied Congress in the effort to give the Forest Service the authority to offer 20 year stewardship contracts in an effort to attract industry that could ultimately restore and save Arizona's forests."

U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ-01) on Friday, September 25, 2020, led members of the Arizona delegation in a letter to the U.S. Forest Service highlighting the need for action on the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) in Northern Arizona to help reduce wildfire risk. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-02), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), David Schweikert (R-AZ-06), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-07), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ-08), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-9) also signed onto the letter.

“In Arizona this year, there have been more than 1,600 wildfires and more than 700,000 acres burned which is more land burned than in 2018 and 2019 combined,” the Members wrote. “Entire communities, industries, and businesses across the state are waiting on the 4FRI project to move forward. The steadily increasing risk of wildfire combined with the economic uncertainty caused by prolonged delays means it is critically important for the Forest Service to expeditiously award this Phase 2 contract.”

https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/.../mcsally-ohalleran-push...

My Resume

Richard G. Lunt

E-mail: richardglunt@gmail.com

Education

                Master’s Degree in Educational Administration 

                       Northern Arizona University 1991

                Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science 

                       University of Arizona 1979

                Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education

                       University of Arizona 1979

Occupational Experience

                Greenlee County Supervisor 2017-present
                Freeport McMoran, Repairman 2013-2016

                Greenlee County Supervisor 2005-2012

                Lunt’s Dairy, owner/herdsman 1979-2004

National Leadership Experience             

                United States Forest Service
                        Resource Advisory Council Member - 6 years

                Bureau of Land Management
                        Resource Advisory Council Member - 7 years

                National Association of Counties Organization 

                        Public Lands Steering Committee Member - 10 years
                        Western Interstate Region Board Member - 1 year

                National Livestock and Meat Board
                        Board Member - 4 years

                National Cattleman’s Beef Association
                        Board Member - 9 years

                National Cattleman’s Beef Association 

                        National Youth Task Force Member - 2 years

               

State Leadership Experience 

                County Supervisors Association
                       Member - 12 years, 1st Vice President - 1 year

                County Supervisors Association

                        Legislative Policy Committee - 12 years

                Arizona Association of County Officials

                        Board Member - 8 years

                Arizona Electric Power Cooperative

                        Board Member - 14 years, President-3 years

                Sierra Southwest Cooperative

                        Board Member - 4 years, President-3 years

                Southwest Transmission Cooperative
                        Board Member - 2 years

                Arizona Department of Agriculture 

                        Board Member - 5 years, Chairman- 1 year

                Arizona Beef Council
                        Board Member 16 years, Chairman - 3 years

Community Leadership Experience 

                Duncan Valley Electric Cooperative

                       Board Member - 25 years, Vice President- 3 years

                Boy Scouts of America, 

                       Scoutmaster - 26 years

                Little League Umpire - 20 years

                Greenlee County Extension Board

                        Board Member - 9 years

                Greenlee County Junior Livestock Association 

                        Board Member - 5 years
                P.R.I.D.E. Society - 16 years

Western Interstate Regional Meeting of the Public Lands Committee

Once again, Greenlee County has a voice at the national level. By representing Greenlee County and the State of Arizona on the Western Interstate Region of the National Association of Counties, I am able to influence decisions of the United States Department of Interior, the United States Forest Service, and the Western Governors Association. At our meeting this week, we discussed the fires in the West, land management issues, and how the decisions of these organizations affect our choices at the county level.

Forest Management

I voiced our concerns of forest management, 4 Forest Restoration Initiative, and Travel Management with Vicki Christiansen, Chief U.S. Forest Service, giving Greenlee County a voice. 

Forest Service Travel Management Plan

On September 10 at the Clifton train depot from 5 to 7pm, there will be a public meeting on the Forest Service Travel Management Plan. The proposed action would limit MOTORIZED ACCESS for dispersed camping and limit motorized access for BIG GAME RETRIEVAL. Please come and share your concerns. Here is a photo of the summary of three alternatives that are currently being proposed. We, the Board of Supervisors, continue to be actively engaged in this process.

Public Lands and Forest

I am representing the county on the public lands committee for the National Association of County Officials. After the meeting I was able to speak one-on-one to Vicki Christiansen, Chief Forester for the National Forest Service. We visited about 4-FRI (Four Forest Restoration Initiative) and the importance of the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization's involvement in the request for proposals to bring viable industries to deal with low value lumber and biomass in Arizona's Forests.

Lobbying in Washington DC

I made another successful trip to Washington D.C. with my fellow supervisors. We talked to our representatives and senators. We discussed issues important to Greenlee County and the State of Arizona including water issues, forest issues, endangered species issues, hard rock mining issues, PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and SRS (Secure Rural Schools.) On the home front, I attended the Governors Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council. We are also working on noxious weeds in the southern part of the county.

My presentation to Members of the Legislature

This week I had the opportunity to give a presentation to some senators and representatives of the Arizona Legislature on the importance of ranching, mining, and forest management. I also personally got to talk to Karen Fann who is president of the Arizona Senate and also Rusty Bowers who is Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. I am building good relationships that will pay dividends for Greenlee County in the future.

Western Interstate Region Conference

At the Western Interstate Region conference, which is comprised of the 17 Western States, we discussed what the Eastern Counties Organization of Arizona had been doing with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, including some of our accomplishments and some of our failures. Many states were very interested because we had accomplishments that they were not able to get done. We contribute that to commitment from the counties, and from industry.

Four Forest Restoration Initiative

I met with the commissioners of the Arizona Game and Fish. I explain to them what the Eastern Counties Association was doing to improve wildlife habitat through the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. I also spoke to them about game retrieval on the Apache Sitgreaves Forest.

Forest Restoration

I gave the opening presentation for the Eastern Counties Organization's Legislative Field Trip on forest restoration. We are getting things done in the forest.

Working to Keep County Issues in Front of Those Who Can Help Us

It has been a very busy week. I have represented the county in many arenas.

I had the opportunity to talk with Senator Jeff Flake about issues important to the county. I also met with Hunter Moore of the governor's office on water issues. I attended the County Supervisors Association meeting where we talked about the upcoming legislative session. During the week I also met with the Eastern Counties Organization to talk about natural resource and the upcoming legislative field trip.

It takes a lot of work to keep Greelee County's issues in front of the people who make the decisions to help us.

Mexican Wolf Program

I was able to attend the Arizona/New Mexico meeting in which a presentation was provided on the Mexican Wolf Recovery plan. I would welcome any thoughts or feedback on your feelings about the Mexican Wolf recovery plan. This is a hot topic right now in the Southwest region of our country, and influences our natural resources, ranching and cattle, and the policies we implement as a state and county. Please let me know how you feel!

Meeting with Apache Sitgreaves Forest Supervisor

Great meeting with the Apache Sitgreaves Forest Supervisor Steven Best, as well as the Travel Management Coordinator, Wendy Jo, to discuss the travel management plan for our forests. As you know, the forests are vital to our county, region, and state, and I want to keep these discussions moving forward as we partner with many organizations to keep our forest healthy and productive.

Salt Cedar Problem, Healthy Forests and River Restoration Projects

It has been a busy week of meetings with State leaders regarding the Salt Cedar problem as well as healthy forests, and river restoration projects. The State Forester, Jeff Whitney, came to Graham County and flew the river from our county to the New Mexico line, evaluating the Salt Cedar and its impacts on our river basins. We also visited about fire mitigation and the importance of forest management as we look to keep our forests healthy. There was a great meeting of over 34 county and state leaders, as well as industry, to discuss the 4FRI initiative. We were privileged to have staff from US Senators McCain and Flake, as well as Congressman O'Halleran come to discuss this important project as it relates to forest management. I wrapped up my meetings with a briefing on the Black River Restoration Project, of which 92 thousand acres in the Apache Sitgreaves Forest are included in the project. Many of these acres reside in Greenlee County, and we are trying to restore the watershed using different management tools such as mechanical thinning. It has been a great few weeks, with a lot of information shared and efforts to manage our natural resources for future generations to enjoy. As a Greenlee County Supervisor, I will continue to have a seat at the table during these conversations, and make sure our county's natural resources are managed effectively.

Forest Issues Relating to Economic Development

Had a great time this past week working with County Supervisors representing the Eastern Arizona Counties. We discussed the importance of forest thinning as it relates to economic development and forest health. I have made it my goal to have a seat at the table when it comes to these discussions, so we can protect our forests and get our industry working once again. Please share with your friends on Facebook, and join me in this fight to keep our rural counties beautiful and get our logging industry back to work!

Some of the Things I Got Done at the Forest Service

I Got Things Done.

Now that hunting season has started, I want to wish all my fellow hunters a safe and successful hunt.

I want you to know that I helped develop the most lenient travel management program in the United States for our forest as a pilot program. We have one of the few forests where you can still retrieve your game with an ATV, if it is not near a road.

I also helped mediate a plan between the Forest Service and a rancher, to enable him to keep more livestock on his ranch.

I Got Things Done.

Key Player in Agreement to Restore Forests

          Richard Lunt was a key player in the historic Four Forest Restoration Initiative.  After catastrophic forest fires in Arizona, including Greenlee County, conservationist, scientists, industry representatives, community leaders and the U.S. Forest Service all agreed that the policies of the last 50 years of managing the forest were not working.  This agreement restored logging in the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab and Tonto National Forests.  As wildfires became more of a problem, the need for large scale action was necessary.  This agreement looked to sustain biodiversity, re-establish natural fire deterrents, reduce fire threats to communities, create a logging industry that strengthens local economics while conserving natural resources and to educate the public on the importance of these goals.
          This was a huge undertaking that involved many individuals.  Richard worked at the heart of this movement.  He met with National Chief Forester, Tom Titwell, and Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.  He helped convince them of the value of such an undertaking. 
          One of Richard's favorite saying is, "You will let the forest burn, but you won't let it earn." He  believes in multiple use of the forest including ranching, hunting, fishing and recreation.   Another favorite quote, "The land is best served, when the land is serving."