Dems Slam Interior Over Science Meddling - AP

Source: Associated Press

Dems Slam Interior Over Science Meddling

By MATTHEW DALY, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

(05-09) 13:49 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --

Democrats said Wednesday an Interior Department official who pressured
government scientists to alter their research was just one example of a
larger problem.

Julie MacDonald resigned last week as deputy assistant secretary for fish,
wildlife and parks after the department's inspector general said she bullied
federal scientists and improperly leaked information about endangered species
to private groups.

Democrats welcomed MacDonald's departure, but accused the administration
of abdicating its responsibility to protect endangered species.

"This is an agency that seems focused on one goal: weakening the law by
administrative fiat, and it is doing much of the work shrouded from public
view," said Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., chairman of the House Natural
Resources Committee.

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