"The White House on Friday announced its intention to formally nominate William Perry Pendley to be the director of the Bureau of Land Management, which he has directed in an acting capacity for nearly a year.
Pendley, who must be confirmed by the Senate, is the BLM’s deputy director of policy and programs. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has repeatedly delegated the authority of BLM director to Pendley since the department hired him last July."
"He’s doing a great job, including acquiring more than 25,000 acres of public land for expanded recreational access," Bernhardt said in a statement Friday.
"Environmental groups reacted angrily to the announcement. The National Wildlife Federation said in a statement that putting Pendley at the helm 'is like putting an arsonist in charge of the fire department.'"
Bobby Magill reports for Bloomberg Environment June 26, 2020.