Contact : William Lutz 202/772-0269

Under Mr. Kempthorne,
Which Way Would the Interior Department Go? 

Statement by Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife  

"It is very important that Gov. Kempthorne make his intentions known about the direction in which he would take the Department of the Interior if he is confirmed as Secretary. Over the past five years we have seen a sharp decline in the department’s commitment to protecting America’s treasured wildlife and wild places for future generations, contrary to its stated mission. Instead we have seen a consistent disregard for the wellbeing of our nation’s public lands, a weakening of important environmental safeguards and severe cuts to some of the most important conservation programs -- all as the administration catered to the desires of the oil, mining, timber and other industries.

"I am hopeful that Gov. Kempthorne would reverse that trend, but this should not be taken for granted. I recognize that his prior service as a senator increases the odds that Gov. Kempthorne will be confirmed by his former colleagues as the next Secretary of the Department of the Interior. But hopefully the members of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources recognize that they owe it to the country to fully employ the due diligence that is necessary if the U. S. Senate is to properly exercise its 'advise and consent' function on presidential cabinet nominations. Because the last Interior Secretary promised to this same committee that she would exercise good stewardship of the nation's resources, and then repeatedly failed to do so, committee members should be particularly careful to make sure that this time they have someone who is both qualified and trustworthy. Also, the conservation community has concerns about aspects of Gov. Kempthorne's environmental record in which as governor he opposed a number of Interior Department programs and policies. The committee should be convinced that he would as Secretary do his best to uphold and implement our federal conservation laws. We will all be grateful, and relieved, if Gov. Kempthorne pledges to restore the Interior Secretary’s position to its proper role as chief steward of America’s natural heritage.

"The path the next Secretary chooses will determine the fate of our nation’s wildlife and wild lands for generations, not just the next two and half years left in this administration. I sincerely hope that the Senators on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will ask him the kinds of questions that will give a clear picture of Governor Kempthorne's plans for the department and for America’s natural heritage."

###

Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 490,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.