WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Office of Law Enforcement Security is pleased to announce the 2017 Law Enforcement Ranger of the Year and Special Agent of the Year. Ranger Carrie Wostal and Special Agent Chip Mican were recognized yesterday at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“I am pleased to recognize two of our agency’s most accomplished and extraordinary law enforcement professionals.  Ranger Wostal and Special Agent Mican are to be commended for embodying true professionalism and exhibiting the highest ethical standards,” said BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs Brian Steed.  “Every day, BLM law enforcement personnel nationwide strive to provide a safe environment for the public and employees and work diligently to deter, detect, and investigate illegal activities on our Nation’s incredible public lands.”

The Ranger of the Year award was presented to Carrie Wostal of Kingman, Ariz., who was nominated for her outstanding performance and work protecting public lands, resources and visitors.  In addition to conducting a wide range of investigations last year, Ranger Wostal worked tirelessly to foster strong relationships with many of the BLM’s federal, state, and local partners.  She led the cleanup of a marijuana grow site with the assistance of the Army National Guard and a fellow special agent, as well as successfully prevented many other crimes on public lands.  She has proved herself a true public servant by coming to the aid of an elderly couple after their RV was destroyed by fire. Realizing they had lost everything, Ranger Wostal provided lodging for the couple at her own expense.  Ranger Wostal, who joined the BLM in 2000, also worked as a BLM law enforcement officer in Elko, Nev. and Coos Bay, Oregon.

The Special Agent of the Year award was presented to Charles “Chip” Mican of Roseburg, Ore., who was nominated for his extraordinary professionalism and leadership.  Special Agent Mican is committed to working collaboratively with the BLM’s many partners to promote public safety and further the BLM’s mission.  Last September, Special Agent Mican assembled a team of local and federal law enforcement officers to shut down illegal marijuana production in theCascade-Siskiyou National Monument Soda Mountain Wilderness Area.  Under his supervision, the team seized 700 pounds of the plant, which had already been processed and packaged for distribution.  For this and for other such actions, Special Agent Mican has proven himself deserving of this special award.  Special Agent Mican joined the BLM in 1998, first serving as a law enforcement ranger in 2000 before becoming a special agent in 2009.  Special Agent Mican is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a medic in the Green Berets.

Annually, these awards recognize a BLM ranger for outstanding performance that directly enhances the protection of public lands and visitors, and a BLM special agent for outstanding and effective investigative efforts leading to successful prosecution for significant illegal activities on public lands.  Additionally, awardees are evaluated for: demonstrating outstanding leadership and ethical qualities; fostering outstanding working relationships to promote public safety and the protection of public lands and resources; demonstrating an unusual degree of courage, stamina, or willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty; and exceptional or heroic achievement.

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016—more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior. These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs.