Ed Roberson, who has been the director since October 2016, is retiring Friday. A news release issued Thursday said Anita Bilbao will serve as acting director until a permanent replacement is made. Bilbao had been the associate state director.
The BLM manages 22.9 million acres in Utah — 42 percent of the state. Roberson had a role in developing a management plan for Bears Ears National Monument after President Donald Trump reduced it to 15 percent of its original size in 2017.
Roberson also oversaw management of wild horses in Utah — a topic that habitually puts ranchers and county commissioners against animal lovers.