Wilson named environmental adviser to governor

Former Salt Lake Mayor Ted Wilson didn't even recognize right away that it was Gov. Gary Herbert on the phone when first approached about joining the GOP administration.

But the real surprise for Wilson, a Democrat, came when Herbert started talking about bringing together people with diverse viewpoints to help the state's environmental issues, including how public lands should be used.

Not only is Wilson Herbert's newest staff member, a senior adviser on environmental issues, he's also heading up the newly created Governor's Balanced Resources Council.

"Frankly, I'm tired of the bickering. I'm tired of the fighting, which achieves nothing but leaves us paralyzed," Herbert said. "We need everyone at the table, even those who disagree with us."

Members of the council announced by the governor Wednesday include Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab; San Juan County Commissioner Lynn Stevens; and two former U.S. Bureau of Land Management directors, Pat Shea and Kathleen Clarke. Shea, a Democrat, said he would continue to represent environmental activist Tim DeChristopher, who is charged with submitting false bids for federal oil and gas leases.

Wilson, an avid outdoorsman who has served as vice chairman of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and as executive director of the Utah Rivers Council, said the opportunity to oversee the diverse council was one he couldn't turn down. "It's totally exciting for me," he said.

Still, Wilson warned against driving expectations for the council too high. "Let's come together and give it a try and see what we can do," he said. "We need all of your support. We need the support of the public. We'll make some errors. We'll make some people mad."

Noel, an outspoken critic of many environmental activists, said he's willing to try to resolve what he described as the "tons of issues out there," including wilderness designation, water use and resource management.

"I'd never thought I'd be up here on the same team as some of the individuals up here," Noel, a rancher, said. "I'm willing to listen. I'm willing to open my mind and my heart."

Other members of the council come from the governor's Cabinet, including the executive directors of the agriculture, environmental quality and natural resources departments as well as the coordinators for energy policy and public lands policy.

Environmental activists and conservationists lauded Herbert's choice for the new senior adviser post that will pay approximately $65,000 annually, with many describing Wilson as a consensus builder who is able to deftly work with a diverse spectrum of viewpoints.