The
Center of
the American West is conducting a series
of monthly interviews with former Secretaries of the Interior,
a unique glimpse into the origins and evolution of some
of the West's most important land-use laws and policies.
They are transcribed here in Headwaters News' Western
Perspective, with presented in combination with related
news stories, relevant background reports and analyses
of current trends.
Headwaters would like to thank the center and co-sponsor
The Nature Conservancy.
for making the collaboration possible.
Stewart
Lee Udallushered
in landmark legislation on wilderness, Alaska lands and
scenic rivers under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson
photo:
Deseret News
photo:
LitSite Alaska
Walter
J. Hickel was Secretary of the Interior
from 1969 to 1970, until he had a falling out with President
Richard Nixon over the Vietnam War.
John
C. Whitaker was Undersecretary of the Interior
during some of the key environmental achievements of the
century, during the Nixon administration.
James
Wattwas
President Ronald Reagan's controversial Secretar
of the Interior from 1981 to 1983 during the
Sagebrush Rebellion
Bruce
Babbitt was President Clinton's Interior
Secretary from 1993 to 2001, the architect of
some of the most controversial national monument
designations and a leader in restoring public
lands.
Manuel
Lujan Jr. was Interior Secretary
from 1989 to 1993, under the first President Bush.
He helped usher in protection for wetlands and
key amendments to the Clean Air Act, and he presided
over Indian water reforms and the cleanup of the
Exxon Valdez.
Gale Norton is
the current Interior Secretary, confirmed in
January 2001 and expected to remain through President
George W. Bush's second term.
