Paradise Hills resident Don Houston named to federal advisory council

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management has appointed Paradise Hills resident Don Houston to the California Desert District’s citizen Desert Advisory Council, which advises the bureau on public land issues. Houston, a project manager in environmental services at San Diego Gas & Electric, is one of three new members to be appointed to the council.

“The BLM’s Desert Advisory Council helps ensure that the management of our public lands and resources is guided by a wide range of perspectives and by the input of citizens and local communities,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in the news release announcing the appointments.  “I welcome our new and returning DAC members and commend them for their service on behalf of America’s public lands.  Their input and recommendations will help us restore our treasured landscapes and ensure that we are harnessing the benefits of these lands in a balanced way."

Houston says he is looking forward to the opportunity to advocate for appropriate renewable energy uses and environmentally-sound policies.

“I am honored to have been chosen for this distinguished position and I will take this opportunity to contribute to the sustainable management of desert resources for the benefit of present and future generations of users,” said Houston.

The appointment is a three-year term.