Dennis McLane in 1990
in Washington, D.C.,
as BLM Chief Ranger

Dennis McLane is a native of California. He grew up in Southern California communities surrounded by large blocks of BLM land. He was inspired in his youth to pursue a career in natural resources. He aspired to become either a park ranger or a fish and game warden. After serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1975, he graduated from Sacramento State University in 1976 with a B.S. degree in park and recreation management with a minor in biological conservation.

Dennis worked seasonally as a park ranger for the Sacramento County Parks Department and the California State Parks. He had assignments on the American River Parkway, Richardson Grove State Park and Topanga State Park. His first permanent assignment was as a state park ranger in the Mendocino area state parks. He then was transferred to Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in San Bernardino County, California.

He had his first BLM job as a ranger in Barstow, California, from 1979 to 1981. In 1981, he became the District Ranger for the California Desert District in Riverside, California. Dennis enjoyed working throughout the California Desert Conservation Area. In 1989, he became the BLM's first Chief Ranger at the national level in Washington, D.C.

In 1992, Dennis' BLM National Law Enforcement Office was moved to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. He was subsequently promoted to Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement. In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the FLPMA, Dennis authored The Enforcement Provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, Searching for Meaning after 25 Years.

Dennis retired in 2003 and lives in Boise. He is actively engaged in a small business doing genealogical and historical research for others. In his spare time, Dennis enjoys camping, canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor pursuits.

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