Barrasso calls for immediate investigation into BLM misconduct
Questionable management of the Bureau's National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS)
by Senator Barrasso media release
October 8, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) is calling for an immediate investigation into the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General’s recent findings of misconduct by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) officials.
The Investigative Report, released October 2, 2009, reveals a pattern of illegal and unethical management at BLM.
The report uncovers undue influence and inappropriate relationships between federal officials and special interests. This calls into question past and future management of the Bureau’s National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS).
Below is Senator Barrasso’s letter (10/06/09) to Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar.
October 6,2009
The Honorable Ken Salazar
Secretary of the Interior
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Secretary Salazar ;
I write to express my concern about the U.S. Department of the Interior Office of
Inspector General's recent findings of misconduct by Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) officials. The Investigative Report, dated September 29,2009, reveals a pattern
of illegal and unethical management at BLM. The report uncovers undue influence and inappropriate relationships between federal officials and special interests. This calls into question past and future management of the Bureau's National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS). I request your immediate attention to this matter.
The people of Wyoming, and all western states, depend upon the BLM to manage its
lands to benefit our people, our communities and our future. The Inspector General's
Investigative Report indicates that BLM officials were serving special interests, not the
people. This is an unacceptable situation, that must be fully addressed in order to restore
the public trust.
I request a full investigation and review of all decisions made by the implicated officials during their tenure at BLM. Further, I request that the Department of the Interior review all Bureaus for interference of special interests. This can provide the public confidence in future BLM management and assurance that this kind of misconduct is not accepted by the Department of the Interior, Finally, I request the Department of the Interior suspend all activities related to the NLCS. The validity of the overall program is now in question.
The Department of the Interior should not move forward with this program until a
complete and thorough review is completed.
The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General's Investigative Report
raises serious questions about the conduct of federal employees and the decisions made
by federal agencies. The people of Wyoming, who depend upon the competent and
ethical management of federal responsibilities, deserve thorough and expedient answers to these questions.
Thank you for your consideration,
John Barrasso, M.D.
United States Senator
Click on this link for a printable PDF of Senator Barrasso’s letter
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