Mark "Chip" Lohmeier, who has run Becker County's natural resources and parks department since 1993, has accepted a similar job with Hubbard County.
He will resign effective Dec. 17.
Lohmeier, who used to work for Hubbard County and still lives there (he has commuted all these years) submitted his letter of resignation at the Becker County Board meeting Tuesday.
He thanked the commissioners, department heads, staff and committee members, past and present "for their continued confidence in me and the support they have provided to me during my tenure here; a finer group of professionals would be hard to find."
Lohmeier was something of a lightening rod for environmentalists because he had to manage county lands for the sometimes-conflicting goal of both logging and recreation, among other duties.
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But he pointed out that the department has enjoyed numerous improvements in operations, communications, record keeping and public relations during his tenure.
"Upon my arrival in 1993, the land department was essentially run out of a shoebox with hand-written ledger sheets and little in the way of checks and balances," Lohmeier said. "Today, the combined natural resource management and recreation departments utilize the most modern technology to assist in forest and recreation management."
Computers, geographic information systems, global positioning systems and color infrared aerial photography "all provide the tools needed to effectively and properly manage Becker County's vast public lands," he said.
As the county prepares to adopt a comprehensive recreation plan, "these tools, and the personnel necessary to implement the plan, are needed more than ever," Lohmeier said.
"I urge the county to carefully consider the benefits a quality department manager can provide when protecting and preserving the most valuable resource Becker County has to offer, its public lands, and to provide the financial support necessary to ensure recreation and forest management goals are accomplished in an effective and efficient manner."
Lohmeier said he looks forward to the challenges of his new position as land manager of Hubbard County, and stands willing to provide "continued support to Becker County as forest and recreational management is looked at on a more regional basis."
