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JUNE 20, 2001

More than 100 days into her tenure, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton is still without all her top advisers, leaving a number of Clinton-era decisions in limbo as the Bush administration waits to put its stamp of approval on them.

Hoping to change the state of affairs, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold one big confirmation hearing today for three Interior nominees: Bill Myers for Solicitor; Lynn Scarlett for Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget; and Bennett Raley for Assistant Secretary for Water and Science. But there's little chance the group will receive the same warm reception Bureau of Indian Affairs hopeful Neal McCaleb got last week.

Still, none of the three are as controversial as Undersecretary pick J. Steven Griles, who has drawn opposition from environmental groups for his stances on drilling in the Arctic and off the coasts of Florida and California. After going before the panel over a month ago, the full Senate -- now in the hands of the Democrats -- has yet to vote on his nomination.

Here's an overview of the three and the issues they are facing.

BILL MYERS:
Announced back in March, Myers would replace former Solicitor John Leshy, an official targeted by the trust fund plaintiffs for contempt and by Republicans in New Mexico for an opinion he authored in favor of Sandia Pueblo's decades old land claim.

Currently in private practice in Idaho for Holland & Hart, Myers is a former lobbyist for the cattle industry. He challenged former Secretary Bruce Babbitt's policies a number of times, but didn't always succeed. Like Norton, he also protested endangered species protections enacted by the Clinton administration.

As Solicitor, Myers would be the Interior's top legal scholar. He'd provide legal advice on a number of issues, including authoring formal positions of the department.

LYNN SCARLETT:
A member of the Bush-Cheney transition team, Scarlett was announced for her post in April. As head of Policy, Management and Budget, she'd be in charge of the Interior's spending.

Its a big job for the $10 billion agency which the Bush administration has targeted for a number of cuts. Democrats on the Committee have opposed slashes to the endangered species protections while Republicans like Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado have complained about tribal school funding.

In addition to money planning, Scarlett will be responsible for developing Interior policy. Some environmental groups have questioned her views here, arguing she would seek less stringent environmental regulations.

BENNETT RALEY:
Raley is the last of the group to have been nominated, having been announced for the post in April. He'd head the Bureau of Reclamation, which is responsible for working with tribes, states, and local communities to manage one of the West's most precious resources: water

Its an area with which Raley is intimately familiar. He's held a number of positions in Colorado and New Mexico on water issues and as a Colorado lawyer, he has represented water users, but critics say favors private rights over endangered species protections: he once argued for repeal of the Endangered Species Act.

Raley would also be in charge of the US Geological Survey. The agency provides scientific research to the department and has been assigned to oil and gas studies in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The hearing today begins at 9:30 Eastern Standard Time. A live audio feed is available at CapitolHearings.Org and a video broadcast from the committee website.

Listen to Hearing:
Audio | Video

Department of Interior Profiles:
Deputy Secretary: J. Stephen Griles (3/9)
Solicitor: Bill G. Myers (3/30)
Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget: P. Lynn Scarlett (4/4)
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs: Neal McCaleb (4/18)

Relevant Links:
Energy and Natural Resources Committee - http://www.senate.gov/~energy
Office of the Solicitor - http://www.doi.gov/sol
Office of Policy, Management, and Budget - http://www.doi.gov/policy-management-budget.html
Bureau of Reclamation - http://www.usbr.gov/main/index.html
US Geological Survey - http://www.usgs.gov