BLM director named for Montana

BILLINGS, Mont. — Gene Terland, the Bureau of Land Management's associate state director in Utah since 2003, has been named the agency's new state director for Montana and the Dakotas.

Terland is a Montana native who holds a degree in fish and wildlife management from Montana State University.

"Gene's background and experience form a great fit for the resource issues facing Montana and the Dakotas," said BLM Director Kathleen Clarke.

Terland began his BLM career in Oregon in 1974. Since then, he has served in a variety of leadership roles in Idaho and Alaska.

Terland will likely report for his new duties before the end of November. He replaces Mary Ott, who retired last year.

Howard Lemm was named associate state director last week.

In Montana and the Dakotas, BLM manages 8.3 million acres of public land and 50 million acres of subsurface mineral rights.