Word: burford
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When the Administration needed a caretaker for the battered Environmental Protection Agency as it searched for a permanent replacement for departing Administrator Anne Burford, John Hernandez seemed a perfect choice. A water-pollution expert and former dean of engineering at New Mexico State University, Hernandez had distinguished himself as one of the few top EPA officials not caught in the crossfire of charges about sweetheart deals, political manipulation, conflict of interest and mismanagement. Some of his colleagues caustically pointed out that he could credit his clean slate at least in part to his exclusion from the agency's decision...
...safe choice for acting administrator has turned into an exploding cigar for the White House. By week's end three House subcommittees and the EPA's inspector general were probing a spate of charges that Hernandez made improper decisions benefiting industry. Reagan aides, who had hoped that Burford's ouster would provide some breathing space and subdue the impression that the Administration has favored polluters, were foiled. Groused one White House official: "Every time we turn around, something is screwed up over there...
Although she was furious at Reagan's aides, who, she complained to associates, did not have the courage to ask her to quit, Burford remained steadfastly loyal to the President. "I love that guy," she said, "and I'd be proud to serve him any place." The affection was mutual. Notoriously reluctant to cut loose loyal aides in distress, Reagan continued to insist in his press conference on Friday that Burford was a martyr hounded to resign by environmental activists and a scandal-hungry press. He called her "a far bigger person than those who have been sniping...
Reagan tapped John Hernandez, the EPA's deputy chief, as acting administrator and immediately began the search for a successor with extensive Government experience and bipartisan appeal. The selection may prove as important as Burford's resignation. "Her departure isn't the issue," says Democratic Congressman Mike Synar. "The management and honesty of the EPA are the issues." Democrats will have ample opportunity to score further political points. Hearings were scheduled to begin this week in Congress on tightening up the laws governing waste disposal. The scandal's repercussions are likely to affect other environmental legislation...
...feeling about the environment, especially the concern about poisonous-waste disposal. A Washington Post-ABC News poll released March 5 showed that a majority of Americans believe the President would rather protect polluters than clean up the environment, and found the public nearly as critical of Reagan as of Burford. Though his aides say Reagan's environmental policy will not shift direction with a change at the top of EPA, they hope to convince the public that the Administration is serious about cleaning up toxic wastes. In a way Burford's departure raises the stakes. "Anne was taking...