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JUNE 21, 2001

Secretary of Interior Gale Norton on Wednesday defended her pick for special assistant to Alaska amid criticism from environmentalists and Democrats.

Norton -- who has been in Alaska the past several days -- said in Anchorage: "It was apparently a mistake for me to choose someone who represented the mainstream views of Alaska as opposed to the mainstream views of Massachusetts."

Rep. Ed Markley (D-Mass.) had criticized the choice of Cam Toohey, a lobbyist for the oil and gas industry.

"Rather than being an industry lobbyist, Cam Toohey is representative of the public, a voice of Alaska citizens," added Norton.

Norton on Tuesday visited the Inupiat Eskimo village of Kaktovik. Located on the north slope of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, residents support oil drilling.

Norton on Monday visited the Gwich'in community of Arctic Village. The Gwich'in Nation opposes drilling.

Get the Story:
Friends of Alaska Oil Drilling Join Interior (The Washington Post 6/21)
Norton wraps up Alaska visit; defends Alaska appointment (AP 6/20)

Relevant Links:
Gwich'in Steering Committee - http://www.alaska.net/~gwichin
Oil Issues in ANWR, US Fish and Wildlife - http://arctic.fws.gov/issues1.html
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service - http://arctic.fws.gov
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Pro-Development site - http://www.anwr.org

Related Stories:
Norton visits Gwich'in village (6/19)
Oil friends chosen by Norton (6/18)
Gwich'in Nation blind-sided by Norton visit (6/15)
GOP faces last day in power (6/5)
Shift in Senate means changes for Indian Country (5/25)
Norton: Indian Country won't get ripped off (5/24)
Alaska Natives square off over Arctic drilling (5/18)
Campbell: Alaska Natives support drilling (4/25)
Gwich'in Nation: We Come from the Caribou (4/4)
GOP Senators unveil drilling proposal (2/27)