Western Interstate Region Works on Public Land Issues

 

I represent the state of Arizona on the Western Interstate Region of the National Association of County Officials. This is a group of 15 western states that help set policies in the federal government that impact the western United States. The west has different needs than other parts of the country and they are better addressed by working together as 15 states than as just one small county. Most public land is in the west and we address many of the issues regarding public land.

Vote to re-elect Richard Lunt on November 3rd for Greenlee County Supervisor District #3!

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.

Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Council

Greenlee County now has a voice on the Arizona Resource Advisory Council of the Bureau of Land Management. I was appointed by the United States Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, as one of the representatives on this council. The Council provides advice to Bureau of Land Management's Arizona State Director regarding the management of public land resources within its jurisdiction. I am honored to be chosen to serve.

Western Interstate Region of National Association of Counties

Greenlee County has a bigger voice in national policies that affect the western area of the United States.  I was voted by the County Supervisor's Association of Arizona to represent them on the Western Interstate Region Board. The Western Interstate Region is made up of 15 western states. By working together as 15 states, we have more influence on the national level.  I also serve on its Public Lands Committee.  The committee lobbies congress for policies that meet the needs of the western United States.

Jason Whiting, Supervisor of Navajo County wrote:  Richard Lunt is one of the most respected Supervisors in Arizona and his leadership is appreciated by all of us.  He is to humble to say he was voted on Unanimously because of the respect he has earned form his peers as we know he will work hard and represent Arizona well.  Thank you, Supervisor Lunt, for your leadership and voice.

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. 

Travel Management Plan and 404 Permitting

Two of the things I have been currently working on with other county supervisors are a more lenient Travel Management Plan for Apache Sitgraves National Forest, and 404 permitting. It is critical to work with other counties so that we have a bigger 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.

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.

National Association of Counties Public Lands Committee

I recently spent time working as a member of the Public Lands Committee for the National Association of Counties. I have a passion for this work and enjoy being able to influence policy on a national level.

Western Interstate Region Conference

I attended the Western Interstate Region Conference this week and met with 17 other representatives of the western states. We addressed many land use issues and also healthcare issues. When the 17 western states speak together as one voice, we have a greater chance of our voice being heard in Washington. I especially appreciated a quote given about attitude. So much of our outlook in life does depend on our attitude.

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.

How Small Counties Get a Say in State and National Issues

          As a small county official, you might wonder if we get a say in issues on the state and national level.  

          On the state level the county supervisors meet each month with supervisors from all over the state of Arizona in an organization called Arizona County Supervisor's Association.  Within this organization are three smaller groups - the small counties, medium counties and large counties.  We are part of the small counties group.  We work together on issues facing small counties. By working with other small counties we actually have the power to get legislation passed that benefits our county.  I earned the trust of my fellow county supervisors and became one of the Vice Presidents of the Arizona County Supervisor's Association.  

          The National Association of Counties is the group that works for counties on a national level.  This group meets several times a year to address issues that face the counties on a national level.  I was appointed to the Public Lands Committee.  Nine other supervisors and I were given the task of re-writing Public Lands policies for the nation. That was a position of great trust. To be able to make national policies when you are from a small county in Arizona is a huge thing.

          You don't get appointed to these leadership positions unless you win the respect and trust of the other county supervisors in the state and in the nation.  Serving with these groups was an honor.  I plan to continue to work with the other supervisors from our state and our nation to promote policies that benefit Greenlee County.