Republicans managed to pull off a coup Wednesday in the U.S. Senate by blocking the confirmation of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s choice for his second-in- command.
While it’s a political setback for Salazar and an embarrassment for Democratic leaders, Salazar should not back down from those decisions that are now giving his opponents indigestion. We think Salazar has made the right moves on several controversial issues, some of which have prompted the hold on David Hayes’ appointment.
The decision that seems to be causing the most consternation is Salazar’s move to cancel some 77 oil and gas leases in Utah that were hurried through in the waning months of the Bush administration.
The leases for 130,000 acres near three national parks should have been cancelled since they were put up for auction without proper environmental review. Administration officials neglected to first consult with the National Park Service, which is routine procedure. Only after controversy erupted were park officials brought into the loop.
Sen. Robert Bennett, a Utah Republican, wants to see the drilling go forward and is willing to do what he can, including blocking the nomination of Hayes, a former Interior deputy under President Bill Clinton.
Salazar should not back down.
Other decisions that have inflamed opponents, mostly Republicans, include those that slowed commercial oil shale leasing and restored a requirement that federal wildlife biologists review decisions that could negatively affect endangered species.
Those were the right calls as well.
It’s interesting to see how Salazar, who was initially criticized by some environmentalists as being too friendly with business and ranching interests, has proven critics wrong.
He is taking a measured and mostly center-left approach to policy, just as he had as one of Colorado’s senators. It’s not surprising, then, that he has raised the ire of some environmentalists as well.
Salazar decided not to rescind a special rule created by the prior administration that exempted the polar bear from some Endangered Species Act protections.
The core issue was whether the government would use the act to regulate the sources of greenhouse gases that help fuel climate change and thus destroy polar bear habitat. Salazar said the act wasn’t the right tool to go after them.
Another bone of contention with enviros is his decision to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list in certain areas.
We won’t agree with Salazar on every decision, but we do think he should get his first choice for chief deputy as he faces important policy decisions.
We hope senators find a way to sidestep the political blockade so Salazar can concentrate on the challenges ahead.
