Lands-policy coordinator quits

Lynn H. Stevens, the coordinator of the state's sometimes controversial Public Lands Policy Coordination Office has resigned, saying change is good for public office and himself.

His assistant, Stephen G. Boyden, also is leaving. Stevens says a main reason for both is to spend more time with their families.

Stevens continues to serve on the San Juan County Commission, but he will no longer be a trustees of the Utah Navajo Trust Fund, since that position must be filled by a state employee or officer.

A spokesman for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, which views the public lands office as somewhat opposed to federal environmental policies and in favor of development, was hopeful that the resignations might signal a change of direction.

However, Stevens told the Deseret Morning News on Thursday that he foresees no change in policy. "No, not that I can imagine. I really don't know," he said.

Asked why he retired, he said, "I just feel like the time has come to be a family man. The directions the office is heading, the policy, the philosophy, the funding, the staffing, are pretty well in place and well understood."

The personality of the new director will be important in the office's functioning, he said, "but I don't sense any philosophical change in the office of the governor."

He decided last November that June would be a good time to leave the job, he added. The timing, in which the announcement comes out during a series of changes in the executive section of state government, is coincidental, he said.

"I've been working, oh, 70 or 80 hours a week."

In his resignation letter, dated April 5, Stevens told Gov. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. that he reached his decision "of my own free will, independent of any outside personal or political pressure, criticisms or efforts to persuade me to continue serving.

"My wife, Lynette, and I have been discussing this decision for several months and are in agreement that now is the right time to do other things together."

Stevens wrote that he believes in the wisdom of a periodic change of leadership, "particularly in new organizations," a reference to the land policy office.

The outgoing office chief noted he tried to retire fully twice before but felt driven to accept new challenges.

"The feeling of true partnership between the state and its counties regarding public land issues, including your emphasis on multiple use of these lands, is very harmonious." Stevens called the state's relationship with federal land agencies "most professional and appropriately cordial."

However, SUWA has viewed the public land office as opposed to some federal policies designed to protect the environment.