Forrest Boe to head DNR Trails and Waterways Division (2007-01-03)
Forrest Boe
Forrest Boe, a long-time employee of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has been named director of the DNR Trails and Waterways Division. He succeeds Laurie Martinson, who is the new DNR deputy commissioner.
Boe was the Trails and Waterways field operations manager in St. Paul. Before that he served as the division's regional manager in Bemidji and area supervisor in Brainerd.
Martinson said Boe is up to the challenge. "Forrest's experience and enthusiasm make him the ideal candidate to take on the tough issues facing our Trails and Waterways Division," Martinson said.
"Forrest has shown a dedication to natural resources and outdoor recreation over many years of service, and to the groups that use and help maintain our trails, boat accesses and waterways," Martinson said. "Forrest is well liked by employees and by the groups we work with, because I believe they know he does what's right to maintain sustainable resources."
Among the toughest challenges facing his division, Boe said, is the rapid growth of all-terrain vehicle use in Minnesota, and growing demand for all types of recreational trails.
"For example, we have to find a way to maintain the growing network of state bicycle trails created by increased public demand for places to bike," said Boe, who has worked at the DNR for 23 years. "We are working with Minnesotans to provide for both motorized and nonmotorized use of our trail systems. It's a difficult process, and a deliberate one by necessity. We need to do this right."
Boe earned a bachelor of science degree in natural resource management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Laurie Martinson will be new DNR deputy commissioner (2006-12-29)
Laurie Martinson - New DNR Deputy Commissioner.
Mark Holsten has named Laurie Martinson as the new Minnesota Department of Natural Resources deputy commissioner, effective Jan. 2. Martinson will succeed Holsten, who will become DNR commissioner on that date.
Martinson has been acting assistant commissioner since Brad Moore moved to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in August. Before that, she had served as DNR Trails and Waterways Division director since December 2003, overseeing rebuilding of the division, and operation and maintenance of 1,100 miles of state trails, 1,560 public water access sites, 280 fishing piers and shore fishing sites, as well as 3,400 miles of river recreation opportunities through designated canoe and boating routes.
"As field operations manager and division director, Laurie has proven her strong management skills," Holsten said. "Her attention to detail is superb. She gets it. I'm looking forward to working with her to challenge the status quo."
Martinson, of Eagan, was DNR field operations manager from 1999 to 2003, where she developed policies and procedures for statewide programs and initiatives, and represented the DNR in working collaboratively with local units of government. She came to the DNR from MPCA, where she worked on water quality issues, as well as operations and planning.
"Laurie is well known and well respected in the agency and among stakeholder groups, where she enjoys good working relationships with counties, clubs and other organizations," Holsten said.
Holsten named DNR commissioner; Governor also makes Moore permanent commissioner at PCA. (2006-12-19)
Mark Holsten - DNR Commissioner
St. Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty has appointed Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Deputy Commissioner Mark Holsten as DNR commissioner. Holsten has served as deputy commissioner of DNR since January 2003.
Additionally, the Governor permanently appointed acting commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency Brad Moore as PCA Commissioner.
“During this transition period it’s natural to have changes in our team,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Mark Holsten has the experience, talent and know-how to build on the great work that’s been accomplished over the last four years at DNR and to bring additional reform and accountability to the management of our great outdoors.”
Prior to serving as the Deputy Commissioner of DNR, Holsten served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for ten years, including as Chair of the House Environmental & Natural Resources Finance Committee. As Deputy Commissioner, Holsten oversaw all legislative and budgetary functions for the agency and had general administrative oversight of operations. He was also responsible for the Division of Fish and Wildlife and regional offices in Northwestern, Northeastern, Central and Southern Minnesota.
Holsten, 41, was a key leader in the Pawlenty Administration on a number of outdoor and conservation initiatives including improved management of ATV trails to protect the environment, while preserving Minnesotans’ ability to enjoy the outdoors; forest certification of more than 4 million acres of state lands; and enhanced management of 1,380 public wildlife areas with 1.2 million acres of habitat, from prairies and wetlands to forests and swamps, for Minnesota's game and non-game wildlife species.
Holsten received his bachelor’s degree in sociology and history from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and a teaching license from the University of St. Thomas. He lives in Stillwater with his wife, Lisa, and two children.
The Governor also named Brad Moore as commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA). Moore became acting commissioner of PCA in August 2006. Moore previously served as Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, where he oversaw seven divisions including Enforcement, Ecological Services, Waters, and Lands and Minerals.