** Interior sued over sustained use of "acting" directors
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Tuesday, May 12, 2020
William Perry Pendley, acting director of the Bureau of Land Management | Twitter ([link removed])
Two conservation groups have filed a lawsuit ([link removed]) against Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, alleging his sustained use of temporary "acting" directors violates federal law and the Constitution. Specifically, the lawsuit seeks the removal of acting Bureau of Land Management director William Perry Pendley and acting National Park Service Director David Vela, both of whom have served longer than the 210 days allowed by the Vacancies Reform Act.
Secretary Bernhardt's order ([link removed]) granting authority to the two acting heads cites the need to ensure management "during the Presidential transition pending Senate confirmation of new non-career officials." However, as the lawsuit points out ([link removed]) , the election was more than three years ago, there are no pending nominations to lead either agency, and President Trump has not nominated any BLM director throughout his entire presidency.
Using temporary appointments has allowed Bernhardt to push an extreme agenda, particularly within the BLM. Executive Director of the Western Watershed Project Erik Molvar, one of the litigants, notes ([link removed]) , "William Perry Pendley has little chance of surviving the scrutiny of a Senate confirmation process, as he has been a public lands extremist, dedicated to selling off public lands or handing over public resources to mineral and livestock industries throughout his career." While in office, Pendley has led a botched effort to move BLM headquarters to Colorado, leased millions of acres for oil and gas development, and rammed through approvals for new mines and wells during the coronavirus pandemic.
Quick hits
** Growing number of orphaned oil and gas wells to squeeze state budgets
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Politico ([link removed]) | Colorado Sun ([link removed])
** Federal watchdog to investigate Interior distribution of tribal funds, disclosure of sensitive tribal data
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New York Times ([link removed])
** From mountain peaks to arid deserts, park reopenings spark debate
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Bloomberg ([link removed]) | Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
** Patagonia, North Face among dozens of companies calling on Congress to fund outdoor infrastructure in virus relief
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The Hill ([link removed])
** Interior sued over sustained use of "acting" directors
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NPR ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed])
** Renewable energy projects forge ahead in Wyoming despite pandemic
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Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed])
** Opinion: BLM should pause oil and gas lease sales during pandemic
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Colorado Sun ([link removed])
** Opinion: Hearings on Chaco land use plan should be postponed
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Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])
Quote of the day
It’s imperative that members of tribal nations, concerned people and sportsmen and women all have opportunities to raise concerns and ask questions about the plan during public meetings. Public meetings offer invaluable ways to engage with BLM staff around these issues, leading to more informed and and detailed comments that help BLM planners draft a more comprehensive final plan.”
—Ben Neary ([link removed]) , New Mexico Wildlife Federation Conservation Director
Picture this
** @CanyonlandsNPS ([link removed])
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The Green and Colorado rivers come together in the heart of Canyonlands. The two rivers join together to create the powerful Class III - V rapids of Cataract Canyon.
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