March 13, 2006 — By Center for Biological Diversity
TUSCON, Ariz. — The Center for Biological Diversity applauds last Friday's
announcement by presidential appointee Gale Norton; she is resigning as
Secretary of Interior. Norton used her post as the nation's top environment
official to dismantle wildlife and wilderness protections; expand oil
drilling, mining, and logging on public lands; and squash efforts by
government scientists to establish rational environmental policy. Under her
tenure, agency morale declined to an all-time low and millions of acres of
land were forever scarred.
"It's a good day for wildlife, wilderness and anyone who cares about
America's natural heritage," said Michael Finkelstein, executive director
of the Center for Biological Diversity.
Norton worked under James Watt in the Reagan Administration, left to work for
the mining, oil, and timber industries, moved on to become a lobbyist for
anti-environmental groups, then returned to government in the Bush
administration. "Norton exemplifies the corruption-inducing revolving
door between the Bush administration and industry," said Finkelstein,
"the fox wasn't just guarding the henhouse, she burned it down."
Norton's resignation comes as law enforcement officials investigate whether
top Interior official Steven Griles favored the clients of Jack Abramoff.
Griles was a coal industry lobbyist elevated to one of the Interior
Department's top posts at the recommendation of Norton.
The Center for Biological Diversity is a nonprofit conservation
organization with more than 18,000 members dedicated to protecting endangered
species and wild places through science, policy, education, and environmental
law.
Contact Info:
Michael Finkelstein
Tel: (520) 623-5252 x301
E-mail: mfinklestein@biologicaldiversity.org
Website : Center
for Biological Diversity