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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2001

A Montana attorney who is helping a county defend itself in a Native voting rights case said on Monday she will be nominated as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management.

Rebecca W. Watson is currently representing Blaine County from claims its voting system discriminates against Native Americans. The case is pending in federal court and opening arguments were heard last month.

If confirmed, Watson would oversee the Bureau of Land Management, the Minerals Management Service and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. All three bureaus make a number of decisions affecting Indian Country, including royalty payments to individual and tribal trusts.

On behalf of the snowmobile, timber and other industries, Watson has fought the government on various environmental protections, including clean water programs. She has filed briefs for the industry in cases challenging wildlife and habitat protections.

Mountain States Legal Foundation, a Colorado firm which formerly employed Secretary of Interior Gale Norton, is also representing the county.

Watson is a partner at the Helena law firm of Gough, Shanahan, Johnson & Waterman.

Get the Story:
Helena lawyer appointed to high Interior post (The Billings Gazette 11/6)

Relevant Links:
Gough, Shanahan, Johnson & Waterman - http://www.gsjw.com

Related Stories:
Native voting rights case on trial (10/10)