Misael Cabrera’s presentation included discussions on expedited permitting, remediation, and the increase of outsourcing and privatization.  According to Cabrera, they are looking at process improvement to expedite permitting, including removing excess “CYS” steps.  Cabrera also talked about environment and economy co-existing and not wanting to be an impediment to the industry.

The Arizona Geological Survey has developed the Forum website: http://geologyofindustrialminerals.org/  If you would like to receive information about the Forum, please enter your email address under Keep Me Informed! and hit the Subscribe button.  Email updates will be sent to you as soon as they are available.

Raymond Suazo has been selected as the State Director in Arizona, where he will oversee nearly 500 employees and the management of more than 12 million surface and 17 million subsurface acres of BLM public lands in Arizona.  He is currently serving as Arizona’s acting State Director and has held the Associate State Director position since January 2010. He replaces Jim Kenna, who was appointed BLM California State Director earlier this year.

Jesse Juen, Associate New Mexico State Director, has been named as State Director for the more than 13.4 million acres of public lands and 26 million acres of federal oil, natural gas, and minerals where about 855 employees work in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.  Juen replaces Linda Rundell, who recently retired. Juen has served as Associate State Director in New Mexico since 2003. 

“I’m very pleased that Ray and Jesse have accepted these critical appointments,” BLM Director Bob Abbey said. “They bring essential skills and a depth of experience that will ensure the successful management of the important public land natural resources under Arizona and New Mexico’s jurisdictions.”

Suazo, a United States Air Force veteran, began his natural resources career as a range technician with the Forest Service in New Mexico. He also served with the Forest Service in Arizona and in its headquarters office in Washington, D.C. In 2006, he joined the BLM Arizona State Office as chief information officer and served as deputy state director for business resources before being tapped

as Associate State Director. He and his wife Denise have four children, Reyes, Adela, Victor, and Franchesca. Suazo holds a bachelor of arts degree in management information systems from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM.

Juen, who grew up in El Paso, Texas, began his career as a wildlife biological aid with the Forest Service before joining the BLM as a wildlife biologist in New Mexico’s Roswell area office. He has held positions throughout New Mexico and Arizona, as well as serving as deputy assistant director for the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System office in Washington, D.C. Juen received a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from Texas Tech University. He and his wife Maggie have two sons, Michael and Robert.

Suazo and Juen will be sworn into their new positions by BLM Director Bob Abbey in mid-February.

The BLM manages more land – over 245 million acres – than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.

–BLM–Washington Office Division of Public Affairs   1849 C Street N.W.      Washington, DC 20420

Of the 37 fatalities reported, 12 occurred at surface coal mines, 11 at surface metal/nonmetal mines, nine at underground coal mines and five at underground metal/nonmetal mines. Nine workers died in accidents involving machinery – six in coal mines and three in metal/nonmetal mines – making it the leading cause of fatal mining accidents.

Kentucky had the most mining deaths – eight – in 2011, followed by West Virginia with six and Ohio with three. All but one of those deaths occurred in coal mines. Several of the larger coal-producing states, including Alabama, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Utah, experienced zero mine fatalities last year.  Click here for more.

Pit & Quarry Weekly Report

Gov. Jan Brewer was on hand Thursday to put the finishing touches on the Arizona Capitol Mall Beautification Project by unveiling a transplanted saguaro.

“This project is one that will last far into our second century,” Brewer said.

Completed with donated materials, volunteers and state inmate labor, the nine-month project re-seeded the lawn and also put a new black coating on the plaza’s visitor lot.  Read more…

In the above photos from L to R is ARPA Chairman, Lee Hulbert, FNF Construction; Arizona Governor Jan Brewer; and ARPA Executive Director, Steve Trussell.

Click here for more: http://www.azfamily.com/news/haffner/Capitol-and-grounds-get-makeover-for-Arizonas-centennial-136752783.html