Acting Santa Rosa District Ranger for the Forest Service Doug Clark has been on the job in Winnemucca since Nov. 18. He has been "on loan" from the Elko office, and Forest Service administrative policy limits such a temporary detail assignment to 120 days.
Clark will go back to the Elko office March 7 and another temporary "acting" ranger will take his place - Clark said there's no indication yet who that will be.
The search is still on for a permanent replacement for former District Ranger Jeff Ulrich. Ulrich was transferred from Winnemucca three months ago and Clark said it is still likely to be another two to three months before a permanent replacement will be hired.
Clark said he has dealt mainly with grazing allotments and permits while he's been here on temporary duty.
The Santa Rosa Ranger District contains 14 allotments and there are multiple permit holders on most of those allotments.
Clark told Humboldt County commissioners Feb. 18 he has enjoyed his time here. Before he leaves, Clark said he is writing out information on all of the ongoing work which which he's been involved so the new temporary ranger will have the background he needs to take over the work.
Clark said he'll also be checking with County Administrator Bill Deist once a week or when necessary to ensure a smooth transition.
In the last few days of his assignment in Winnemucca, Clark is tying up loose ends and trying to prepare for the reactivation of the Forest Service Resource Advisory Council locally. The Forest Service RAC is different from the several BLM Resource Advisory Councils which also operate continually throughout the state.
The Forest Service RAC is activated each year to determine the allocation of the portion of Secure Rural Schools funding (Title II funding) that the county allocates for projects to enhance forest ecosystems, and improve land health and water quality.[[In-content Ad]]
