Julie A. MacDonald

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. 

"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." 

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

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." FEEP represents "U.S. companies with major land holdings" with a particular focus "on Federal endangered species and wetlands law and policy."

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Bush administration cronyism and incompetence
 * Foundation for Environmental and Economic Progress
 * Political interference in scientific research (U.S.)

External resources

 * Julie MacDonald in the Wikipedia.

External articles

 * "MacDonald Named Deputy Assistant Secretary," U.S. Department of the Interior, May 3, 2004.
 * Inspector General's Report archived at the Center for Biological Diversity.
 * Juliet Eilperin, "Bush Appointee Said to Reject Advice on Endangered Species," Washington Post, October 30, 2006.
 * Felicity Barringer, "Report Says Interior Official Overrode Work of Scientists," New York Times (truthout), March 29, 2007.
 * Paul Kiel, "Today's Must Read," TPMmuckraker, March 30, 2007.
 * Editorial: "Extinct Sense. A troubling report from the Interior Department," Washington Post, March 31, 2007.
 * "Reign of Bush Fish and Wildlife Official Ends in Disgrace," Environmental News Service, May 1, 2007.
 * Matthew Daly, "Embattled Interior Official Resigns Post. Interior Official Accused of Violating Endangered Species Act Quits Her Job," Associated Press (ABC News), May 1, 2007.
 * Julie Cart, "Interior Department official resigns. Julie A. MacDonald is accused of overruling agency scientists about endangered species and leaking documents," Los Angeles Times, May 2, 2007.
 * Robert Gehrke, "Fish and Wildlife official resigns as critics voice relief," Salt Lake Tribune, May 2, 2007.