The local gold prospecting organization, Nye Gold Seekers, announces a rare visit from a Bureau of Land Management representative at a special meeting to hear about BLM and enjoy a dialogue with Mark Chatterton.

He may have two additional people with him.

Chatterton has worked for the federal government for 30 years. During the last 21 years, he has been in the Las Vegas area with the BLM.

Prior to coming to Las Vegas, he was with the U.S. Forest Service for nine years. He has held positions in the Las Vegas area including district geologist, senior technician specialist for mineral materials, assistant district manager, area manager and now the assistant field manager for non-renewable resources.

Chatterton has a bachelor of science degree in geology and a master of science in outdoor recreation with a minor in botany. He has been a certified review mineral examiner for eight years and a certified mineral examiner for 17 years.

His additional experience shows he is actively involved in the review and authorization of mining activities on federal lands for over 28 years and is considered an expert for the government relating to the recovery of industrial minerals such as gypsum, limestone, silica and the recovery of precious metals such as gold, both lode and placer, silver, etc.

In his present position, he is responsible for overall program direction, execution and review of all activities within the Division of Non-Renewable Resources of the Las Vegas field office.

This includes interpretation of departmental and bureau policy, directives as they affect all minerals, safety and hazardous materials programs. Making day-to-day and long-range plans, resolving programs that conflict with other resources, and making final decisions where delegated complement this busy individual's workload.

As if these weren't enough, he assists the National Training Center with instructing and coordinating mineral examiners' courses for locatable minerals. This includes making long-range plans, course design and development of lesson plans, instruction and closeout of classes.

Training courses are at the National Training Center in Phoenix, Ariz., and remote locations such as Alaska.

Chatterton will speak Monday, Sept. 8 at the Bob Ruud Community Center, Room B, at 5 p.m.

Everyone is welcome. Please R.S.V.P. to help be sure there is seating for all: Andy Alberti, 775-727-8771 or Janisse Ager, 775-537-2532; e-mail andy@seepahrumpwithandy.com.