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<br />1-YYY r~YYII YYI r-4JY <br />nwm wlYl eww /Irl Yl ml /1 nu uel ale a u4Yl u•y <br />~IJY/Y VYJYVI <br />I <br />7y~~x~-r`7f¢L ~~CIGJ //u+ae7~05~t9t <br />STATE aF coLa~o <br />~'h ~w (c s Nom'/ <br />OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR <br />Department of Natural Resources <br />1373 Sherman Scree4 Room 71B <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Phone: 13031 866-3311 <br />TOD: (303) 866-3543 <br />Fax: l303) 066-2115 <br /> <br />Posi-it^ Feu Note 7&71 Dare pages ~ <br />To C' e~ Fro <br />~ - <br />GoJDepl. C <br />7~ <br />+l ~ '1 j _ r <br />c~( <br />Phone # Phane <br />4 <br />ax# .3' ~5 FexB <br />December 14, 2001 <br />TO: All DivisionDizcctars <br />IoM: Caeg watcher <br />RE: Local GovemmemDecisions <br />~~~~~~~ <br />DEPARTMENT OF <br />NATURAL <br />~S~~C~S <br />ail: Owens <br />GOYpmO! <br />Creg E. Walther <br />Executive D~reewr <br />We have had a number of instances of~.p~.eo,~pl~e trying to trse state agencies to oppose Local <br />govern+nn++* decisions, especially On land nse pianamg, zoning and developtttetit issues. We also have <br />some imtolvemem frotatime to time in decisions of federal agencies, and other state agencies. In some <br />cases there is a legismate state interest in the issue, and in many cases opponents of some action ue just <br />trying to atffich the sbrte's aetltbility to their propose. <br />Generally our people resist being used. Nevertheless, there have been a number o£ cases where <br />employees of ors divisions have written official letters, weighing in to the fray on decisions chat ought to be <br />made by iocat govermnnnts or others. I am asking you m help eDd this practice, and to ensun: that there is <br />truly a legitimate state interest before such comments are filed, and before om employees participate in <br />such decisions. <br />Accordingly, please consider this as Deparhnent policy henceforth: <br />• No leRer may be sent to another government agency (federal, state m local} making comments on an <br />aeaonby that agency without the approval of the division ditEetor. <br />• No employee may represent an official position of the division or department in any such process, <br />eithar in writing or verbally, without the approval of the division director. <br />• No employee may attend hearings or other parts of the dedQOn-mal~g process of other agencies <br />(federal, state or local} in mrifnrm or in any way that implies an official capacity, without the approval <br />of tlu' division director_ <br />• Division directors are strongly encouraged to examine such requests carefally to enstae there is a state <br />interest specific to your division, and to analyze the potential reactions m such participation, before <br />approving snch acrions. If the slate interestu questionable, or if you determine the aeon is ]t7teiy to <br />have political impact, please wnstrlt with my office prior to approving the action. <br />The primary purpose oFthis policy is to protect DNR employees from aceusarions of undue <br />meddling in the affairs af' others. I bear the accusation frequently and I believe it is generallq unfair and <br />untrue. This policy will ettstrre that when ors agencies weigh into a debate on snch issues with local <br />gov~^++~*^fte, federal agencies, or otherstate agencies, we aze doing the job Coloradans expect ofus <br />Thank you. <br />Board pf Land Commissioners.• Division of Minerals & GeologyfGeological Survey <br />OU & Cu Conservation Commission • Colorado Stare Parks • State Forest Service <br />