Western Governors applaud the Department of Interior (DOI) decision to revise the draft unified regional boundary map, central to its proposed reorganization, to more closely align with state boundaries.
The revised map comes in response to Feb. 1 outreach from Western Governors to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke requesting more consultation and offering feedback on the first boundary map, which followed watersheds and ecosystem rather than state borders.
DOI, responding to WGA on Feb. 23, provided the revised regional office boundary map and additional information on the process for reorganization, including a commitment to discuss the proposed revised map with Governors before it is implemented. (Read an Interior FAQ about the reorganization.)
"Western Governors are gratified that the Department has responded to our previously-stated concerns and are moving towards a state boundary-oriented approach in the latest draft map of its unified regional boundaries," said Jim Ogsbury, Executive Director of the Western Governors' Association.
“The governors support the Department's goal of operating more efficiently and effectively by moving more decision making to the field and share their goal of improving coordination among federal, state and local agencies. We look forward to additional conversations with the Department on how to further refine the plan.”
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