On September 11th of this year,  the American Recreation Coalition and several it's member organizations met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV);  their long-time, and very close friend, Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN);  Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and a number of key Congressmen. They met for the purpose of pressing their agenda — that being the commercialization, privatization and motorization of recreational opportunities upon our nation's public lands and most especially upon America's National Parks. A summary of this important meeting can be read here and several additional position papers can be downloaded from that webpage.

One focus area of that 9/11 meeting was to expedite the confirmation of their good friend, and champion of industrial wreckreation/tourism,  Lyle Laverty to the position of Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In that position Laverty could be counted upon to do the ARC's bidding and to implement recreation and tourism policy that would further transform National Parks into more perfect imitations of Disneyfied themeparks — complete with an increased variety of motorized attractions and commercially-provided amusement gadgetry.

For the wreckreation industry, however, there was a problem. Laverty's confirmation was being blocked by Senator Ron Wyden, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. Wyden had placed a "hold" upon Laverty's confirmation. Amongst other things, Senator Wyden was troubled with a number of ethical issues involving Laverty.

The ARC was did not share Senator Wyden's concerns. In fact, the failure of the Senate to confirm THEIR man was intolerable -- so they took the matter directly with Senate Majority leader Reed and asked for his help.

Pasted below is the position paper on Laverty's confirmation developed by the ARC and dated September 10th. The next day the ARC met with Senator Reed and key officials. Today the Associated Press announced the confirmation of Lyle Laverty to the position of Assistant Secretary.

To learn more about the harm that can now be expected, click here and here.

Scott 

--- begin quoted ---

ISSUE:
CONFIRMATION OF LYLE LAVERTY AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE AND PARKS

BACKGROUND:
The President has nominated Lyle Laverty to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. Hearings on the nomination have been held by both the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The hearings have ably demonstrated the special capabilities and experiences of this nominee, who most recently served as Director of Colorado State Parks

but also had a long and distinguished career with the USDA Forest Service. Support for the nominee is broad and enthusiastic. Both committees have now voted to report the nomination favorably.

Consideration of the nomination has been delayed by a hold placed on the nomination by Senator Ron Wyden. We are advised that his action is largely unrelated to the nominee but instead reflects his concerns about decision-making at the Department of the Interior relating to scientific evidence and opinions. We are also told that both Secretary Kempthorne and the nominee have sought to address the Senator’s concerns.

The Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks is a key player in federal recreation policy matters and the recreation community has been challenged by the lack of a skilled official in this spot for more than 18 months

ACTION NEEDED:
We ask for your assistance in scheduling a vote on the nomination as soon as practical in a way that will allow Senator Wyden to display his concerns without preventing the confirmation of this talented nominee.

MORE INFORMATION:
Derrick A. Crandall, President
American Recreation Coalition
1225 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
202-682-9530 FAX 202-682-9529
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

9/10/07

Comments (0) >>

Write comment

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment