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RE: Nomination of Harold Craig Manson for Assistant Secretary of Fish Wildlife and Parks, Interior Department Dear Senator: As you work to respond to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Friends of the Earth expresses our appreciation for your leadership. We are grateful that Congress continues to work for the American people despite this tragedy, continuing on a steady course to pass spending bills and confirm nominees. We in turn remain committed to advancing environmental stewardship, and to protecting our nation's National Parks, Wildlife Refuges and endangered species. It is with that spirit in mind that we are writing to raise concerns about the nomination of Harold Craig Manson for Assistant Secretary of Fish Wildlife and Parks. The Assistant Secretary of Fish Wildlife and Parks is one of the most important posts at the Department of Interior. The responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary are broad and cover the operation of our National Parks and Wildlife Refuges totaling over 176 million acres of public land. This position also carries with it the responsibility of enforcing federal wildlife protection laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, and preserving, unimpaired, the natural and cultural resources add values of the national park system For that reason we would like to urge your scrutiny of Craig Manson as Assistant Secretary of Fish Wildlife and Parks. As chief counsel for the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Manson supported weakening of the California Endangered Species Act, the failure to collect fees from developers to ensure environmental review and restoration of endangered species habitat, and an overall lack of enforcement of Fish and Game rules. While at Fish and Game Manson helped craft bills that loosened up wildlife protection regulations, especially provisions of the 1970 California Endangered Species Act. One of those bills, (SB 879) forbids agency biologists to cross private lands to study wildlife without landowner permission. In commenting on SB 879, Manson stated "the passage and signing of this bill is extremely important in making sure planned development can go forward." · In 1995 Manson wrote an emergency waiver, issued by CA Governor Wilson, which suspended endangered species act provisions during natural disasters for five years. This wavier was later found to violate provisions of the California Endangered Species Act by the 1st District Court of Appeals and was overturned. · While at Fish and Game Manson was involved in a highly publicized whistleblower case in which an employee was illegally ordered to sign a permit that allowed toxic materials to be placed into public waterways. Later that employee reported the crime but was soon removed from his position and transferred to a newly created position that had no discernible duties. Our National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges are the some of the most treasured and beautiful natural places in America. They provide incredible vistas and scenic beauty as well as provide clean air, clean water and habitat for wildlife. We urge you to closely scrutinize Harold Craig Manson's record on enforcing environmental laws and protecting our national parks. Sincerely, Kristen Sykes |
