Julie A. MacDonald

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Julie A. MacDonald, a U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary who oversaw the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's endangered species program was "rebuked for altering scientific conclusions to reduce protections for endangered species and providing internal documents to lobbyists". She resigned May 1, 2007. MacDonald "also faced conflict-of-interest questions in a report issued by the Interior Department's inspector general" on March 29, 2007. [1]

"In 2004, MacDonald was criticized for overruling field biologists on the habitat requirements of the greater sage grouse, disputing their conclusion that oil and gas operations could interfere with the birds' breeding and nesting.

"The inspector general's report outlined instances where MacDonald, a civil engineer with no formal training in natural sciences, advocated altering scientific conclusions in ways that favored development and agricultural interests." [2]

The IG also reported that she shared internal agency documents with a friend she met at an online gaming site. [3]

Industry ties

In January 2004, MacDonald traveled to Arizona to speak at the annual meeting of the Foundation for Environmental and Economic Progress (FEEP) about "endangered species and wetlands law and policy." [1] FEEP represents "U.S. companies with major land holdings" with a particular focus "on Federal endangered species and wetlands law and policy." [2]

Articles and resources

Related SourceWatch articles

References

  1. MacDonald travel documents, U.S. Department of the Interior, January 2004.
  2. "President's message," Foundation for Environmental and Economic Progress website, accessed February 2009.

External resources

External articles