Reclamation's Scott Hettinger Named Reclamation’s 2017 American Recreation Coalition Legends Award Winner

Hettinger is an Outdoor Recreation Planner in its Dakotas Area Office

Written by: Stephen Major

Acting Commissioner Alan Mikkelsen congratulating Scott Hettinger, an Outdoor Recreation Planner in the Dakotas Area Office.Scott Hettinger, Outdoor Recreation Planner at the Dakotas Area Office, has been named Reclamation’s 2017 American Recreation Coalition Legends Award winner. He received the award and represented Reclamation at the Annual Partnership Outdoors Conference, sponsored by the ARC, on May 31, 2017, at the South Penthouse of the Department of the Interior Building in Washington, D.C.

“I am very humbled and honored to receive this award. It feels good to know someone appreciates the work we do.” Hettinger said. “We go to work every day, not for awards, but to do the best we can for the general public.”

Reclamation’s Acting Commissioner Alan Mikkelsen noted in a congratulatory memorandum that Hettinger “has been instrumental in the successful management, administration, and development of public recreation facilities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.”

Some of the projects for which he was responsible include developing and sustaining mutually beneficial partnerships with the Tri-City Joint Job Development Authority and the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District. He also led efforts to sustain and enhance partnerships with an array of organizations, including the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails; Dickinson Parks and Recreation; Stutsman County Park Board; North Dakota Natural Resources Trust; along with many other managing partners, sportsman groups, concessionaires, and the general public.

Mikkelsen congratulated Hettinger for providing “outstanding management and oversight of Title 28 cost share funding activities to ensure managing partners maximize the benefits of Federal and non-Federal cost share funds for recreation improvements to the benefit of the public.”

When asked which of his accomplishments Hettinger was most proud of, he responded, “Finding a managing partner at Heart Butte Reservoir in North Dakota. For years, Reclamation managed Heart Butte Reservoir and per our authority Reclamation can only provide minimum basic facilities such as vault toilets, and boat ramps. Through the Title 28 50/50 cost share program, we have provided to the general public: a shower building, electrical campsites, camper cabins, playground equipment, hiking trails, and fish cleaning and RV dump stations.”

Hettinger was also instrumental in ensuring recreation facilities are compliant with the American with Disabilities Act. His leadership and collaboration with Tri-City Joint Job Development Authority to plan and construct a playground for visitors to the Downstream Recreation Area at Heart Butte Reservoir is one of many examples. In selecting the playground equipment, Mr. Hettinger ensured it also offered opportunities for children with sensory processing disorders and autism. He also assisted with the planning, design and development of a unique and fully accessible Tree House Camper Cabin at Keyhole Reservoir in Wyoming.

Hettinger led the Dakotas Area Office effort to research innovative ways for managing partners to stay current with fair market value for exclusive use fees at Dakotas Area Office-managed reservoirs. As a key player in the process, he developed the contracts and assisted in the public outreach program for the market rent survey. The public outreach efforts required scheduling meetings and presenting information at numerous public meetings held with cabin associations and managing partners.

Also nominated for the 2017 Legends Award were Outdoor Recreation Planner Valerie Heath-Harrison in the Upper Colorado Region, and Biologist Brandon Barrow in the Lower Colorado Region.

Published on May 31, 2017