Rebecca Watson
Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Department of the Interior

Then: As a lawyer in Montana, Watson represented mining interests including Fidelity Exploration and Production Co, a Powder River Basin coalbed methane producer.

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Now: While Watson has recused herself from making decisions related to coalbed methane extraction, she has testified before Congress advocating increased drilling across the west. According to published reports, Watson has also lobbied Montana Gov. Judy Martz against establishing strict standards for waste water generated by CBM drilling.

In one of her first actions in office, Watson signed off on an internal rule change reversing a Clinton administration's decision to kill Glamis Corp.'s proposed gold mine on a Native American sacred site in California. Watson once worked for the law firm Crowell & Moring, whose clients include Glamis.

© 2003 The Foundation for National Progress

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