RICHARD M. BARBAR
EDUCATION:
B.S. Degree in Park Management - California State University, Sacramento, 1963
M.S. Degree in Urban and Regional Land Use Planning - University of Wisconsin,
Madison, 1973
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Mr. Barbar is the owner of Barbar Consulting Services, specializing in land use and natural
resource planning and management issues. In July, 1998 he completed a 36-year career with
the U.S. Department of the Interior. Primary expertise has been acquired in regional land use
planning and management processes.
He has served in policy formulation, regional land use planning, management and field
operations positions for the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and most
recently as the USDI Executive Coordinator for the 25 million acre California Desert
Innovative Management Initiative. His assignments have given him a detailed perspective on
the technical, political and interagency issues relative to natural resources and regional land
use planning and in the Western U.S.
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE
1998-Present-Consultant
-Permitting consultant -Amtrak High Speed Rail, Mojave National Preserve, CA
-Marketing development, HDR Engineering, Inc. Folsom CA.
-Permitting consultant-Level 3 Inc, fiber optic cable right of way on BLM land,
CA Desert
-Project Analyst, Tri-Basin Rail Project assessment BLM, Wyoming.
-Operations Program Evaluation-Mid Peninsula Open Space District, Los Altos, CA.
1993-1998-USDI Executive Coordinator-California Desert. Served as Interior Secretary’s
senior advisor on interagency management for implementation of the California Desert
Protection Act. Facilitated collaborative organizational efficiency, customer service and
resource planning and management among senior field managers from DOI, DOD, and State
management agencies.
1979-1993-Chief, Lands and Recreation , Bureau of Land Management-California.
Senior manager for program direction, regional land use planning, operations and policy
formulation on 18 million acres of public domain lands. Included supervision of senior
technical specialists, and budgetary responsibility. Included coordination with other Federal,
State, local agencies and elected officials and constituent groups. Key projects included
management of California Desert Plan, significant land exchange projects, Realty/Rights-ofWay, and intergovernmental coordination ( Fed, State, Local) efforts.
1973-1979-Chief of Regional Land Use Planning and Environmental CoordinationBLM, Denver Service Center.(National Lead).
Directed Bureauwide initiatives for Land Use Planning/Decision processes, including
training, process development, public involvement techniques, and planning policy
development. Supervised an interdisciplinary staff of senior specialists including resource
management, sociologists, economists, planners, environmental specialists (NEPA) and
public involvement.
Project involvement included key Energy (Trans Alaska Pipeline, Colstrip Montana), Land
Use/Right of Way( Wind Energy, Rail and Transportation) and Resource Management plans.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
1963-1973
Experience includes a variety of field and headquarters assignments including
National Park Ranger; Park Management; Program Manager for Outdoor
Recreation/Wilderness/Cultural Resources; Special Area Studies Manager,
National Park Service.
STUDIES, MEETINGS AND REPORTS:
Mr. Barbar has participated in a leadership role in a variety of unique special studies, projects
and workgroups of regional, statewide and national significance. Some illustrative examples
are:
National:
President’s Commission of Americans Outdoors, 1986; National Trails Study,
1966; National Islands Study, 1968; Nationwide Outdoor Recreation Plan,
1966; National Wild and Scenic Rivers Study, 1993; National Association of
Interpretation Conferences, 1992,1993; BLM National Mountain Bike Task
Force, 1991-1993; Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail Advisory Board, 19851991; National Symposium-Natural Resources and the Human Spirit, 1993;
BLM Recreation 2000 Strategic Plan, 1991; BLM Outdoor Recreation
Program Organizational Task Force, 1975; National Recreation and Park
Assn. Conference presentations-1986, 1991; 5th National Annual Wilderness
Conference, 1992
Statewide:
California Rivers Heritage Conference, 1992; California Outdoor Recreation
Interagency Forum-19979-1993; California Trails Conferences-1979-1998;
Symposium on Non-Traditional Use of Public Lands, 1990; BLM Statewide
Wilderness Study Report-1987-1990; BLM conference on Fire management in
Wilderness, 1992.
Regional:
California Desert Managers Group Charter, 1994; California Desert Transition
Report, 1993; Social Science Research Study-Non Traditional Uses of the
California Desert, 1992; Management Analysis-Imperial Sand Dunes Off-
Highway Vehicle Area, BLM, 1990; California Desert Plan, BLM, 19771991; Organizational Study-California Desert Rangers, 1980.
Area specific:
Leadership roles in a variety of master planning and management efforts,
including master plans for new areas including Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
(BLM); Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah (BLM); Calif.
Desert Conservation Area Plan, (BLM); Hawaii Volcanoes N.P. (NPS); Glen
Canyon NRA (NPS); King Range National Conservation Area (BLM);
VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT:
Chair, Carmichael Planning Council (Council authorizes land use projects)2005-Pres.
Member, Citizens Advisory Board, Sac. Co. Dept. of Neigh. Services, 2004- Present
Chair, Carmichael Community Action Plan Coordinating Council, Aug. 2001 to Present
Member/Past Chair, Board of Directors, Carmichael Park and Recreation District,
California April, 1997 to July 2001.
Past Member, Advisory Board, California State University, Sacramento-College of Health
and Human Services, January 1997 to 2004.
Member, Steering Committee, Green Valley Alliance-a consortium of business, agriculture,
environmental and governmental representatives developing strategies for Open Space in the
six county region surrounding Sacramento, June, 1998 to Present.
Secretary, Board of Directors, California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners
and Board Members, 1998 to 2001.
President, Carmichael Colony Neighborhood Assn., March, 1999 to July 2002.
SUGGESTED REFERENCES:
Jon Jarvis, Regional Director, Pacific West Region, NPS, 510-817-1300
Tom Sanders, Senior VP, HDR, Inc., Omaha, NE. 402-960-0224
Bob Moore-State Director, Colorado, BLM (Retired), 303-986-1140
Dave Mihalic- Former Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, CA, 406-251-3888
Dick Martin-Former Supt., Sequoia/Kings Canyon N.P.S, 559-240-1036
Lee Chauvet- Deputy Director (Retired), CA Dept. of Parks and Recreation, 530-622-7710
Gene Andal-Director, Sacramento County Dept of Parks, Rec, and Open Space (Retired)
916-687-7285
Additional References for specific business, project or work experience provided upon
request.