CDPHE head Martin takes over for Sherman as natural resources director

Gov. Bill Ritter Monday announced Jim Martin, head of the Department of Public Health and Environment, will take over for Harris Sherman as executive director of the Department of Natural Resources.

Sherman earlier this month was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s undersecretary for natural resources and environment, with oversight of the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Some conservation groups were critical of Sherman’s selection to oversee the Forest Service given his support for a Colorado roadless rule they feel provides far too many road-building exceptions on national forest land for energy extraction, logging and ski-area expansion.

Martin is the former executive director of Western Resource Advocates, director of the Natural Resources Law Center at the University of Colorado School of Law, and a senior attorney and director of the energy program for Environmental Defense. Also, from 1986 to 1992 he worked for former U.S. Rep. and Sen. Tim Wirth.

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