Virginia Cramer, virginia.cramer@sierraclub.org, 804-519-8449
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today climate science denier William Perry Pendley’s time as Acting Director of the Bureau of Land Management expires. During his short tenure, Pendley, who has required a 17-page recusal list due to all his conflicts of interest, has made clear his support for undermining the agency he is tasked with managing by scattering staff across the country. He has also publicly supported the sell off of public lands. Interior Secretary Bernhardt has re-nominated him to hold the position for an extended period.
Prior to holding this position, Pendley was the former president of the Mountain States Legal Foundation, which advocates for selling off millions of acres of public lands, and is a long-time critic of the Endangered Species Act, once describing the bedrock conservation law that it seeks “to kill or prevent anybody from making a living on federal land.”
In response, Athan Manuel, Sierra Club director of public lands protection issued the following statement.
“William Perry Pendley is grossly unfit to lead the Bureau of Land Management. His actions show complete disregard for the agency he manages or public lands-- except perhaps for what can be gotten from selling them off. It’s time for Pendley to go; allowing him to continue to lead the Bureau of Land Management threatens the future of our public lands and everyone who depends on them.”
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