Public Officials Who Uphold Integrity and Protect Communities
Protect Lassen exists to hold agencies accountable — but the story is not only about failures.
Across California, there are public servants who do honor their duty, follow the law, protect the environment, and treat the public with respect.
This page highlights those individuals and teams.
It recognizes officials who demonstrate:
• Transparency
• Timely responses
• Scientific accuracy
• Protection of human health and waterways
• Willingness to confront mistakes
• Respect for community members
• Commitment to real oversight
• Courage to push back against industry pressure
• Fair application of the law
These are the people who strengthen trust in government.
Current Recognitions
Gwyndolyn Ozard, RPF #3035
CAL FIRE – Northern Region Review Team
Gwyndolyn Ozard exemplifies what public service is supposed to look like. During the review of mapping discrepancies between the East Run and West Run Timber Harvest Plan documentation, she responded quickly, clearly, and with genuine professionalism. Instead of deflecting or ignoring the issue, she:
- Fully reviewed the records in CalTREES
- Compared the maps in question
- Followed up multiple times with detailed explanations
- Located the source of the documentation error
- Provided clear next steps for correction
- Communicated respectfully and directly throughout the process
Her willingness to investigate, confirm, and clarify ensured that the public record remained accurate. In a system where many officials avoid accountability or delay responses, Gwyndolyn demonstrated the opposite: transparency, diligence, and a commitment to doing her job the right way.
Protect Lassen recognizes her for integrity, responsiveness, and genuine service to the public. She is a model of what regulatory oversight should be.
DPR Environmental Monitoring Scientists
Dr. Atac Tuli, Kari McClanahan, and Dr. Omid Zandvakili – Hexazinone Contamination Investigation
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
The People of Lassen County recognizes the exceptional professionalism, effort, and integrity demonstrated by the DPR monitoring scientists who conducted the July 2025 sampling on a remote mountain property in Lassen County during a hexazinone contamination investigation.
According to DPR’s own internal documentation this was one of the most challenging field sampling operations of their careers — a steep 6,180-foot elevation climb, nearly a mile uphill, through burned timber, fallen trees, rough terrain, and high temperatures.
Despite the difficulty, the scientists demonstrated what true public service looks like.
Why They Are Being Recognized
- Traversing extremely rugged mountain terrain while carrying heavy sampling equipment
- Maintaining professionalism and composure throughout a physically demanding operation
- Taking the time to answer every question clearly and respectfully
- Performing all sampling correctly, thoroughly, and by the book
- Documenting their work with GPS coordinates, chain-of-custody procedures, and proper scientific rigor
- Treating the landowner with respect and involving him in the process
- Collecting soil, sediment, water, and foliage samples with care and precision under difficult conditions
Their actions stand out in a system where many people avoid fieldwork, delay investigations, or provide incomplete responses. These scientists did the opposite — they showed up, they climbed the mountain, they carried the weight, and they did the job right.
Team Members Recognized
Dr. Atac Tuli
Research Scientist III
Environmental Monitoring Branch – Air Program
Lead soil sampling scientist for the investigation
Kari McClanahan
Environmental Monitoring Scientist
Lead surface water and sediment sampling scientist
Dr. Omid Zandvakili
Environmental Monitoring Scientist
Lead foliage sampling and GPS documentation
These individuals exemplify integrity, scientific professionalism, and a sincere commitment to environmental protection.