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With Republicans in control of the Senate, the Democrats never stood much chance of blocking the approval of any nominee, not even that of perhaps the most controversial, Denver Lawyer James Watt, whose selection as Secretary of the Interior was stoutly opposed by environmentalists. The nominees breezed through their hearings with hardly a contrary question or comment from the Democrats. Yet though the hearings provided no fireworks, they did offer some insights into the views of the Reagan team...
Mountain States' current suits include one that would prevent the Jicarilla Apaches, who like other tribes are overseen by the Department of Interior, from levying taxes on natural gas piped out of their reservation in northern New Mexico. In another case, Watt's law firm in October persuaded a federal district court in Cheyenne, Wyo., to rule that the Departments of Interior and Agriculture could not refuse to consider applications for exploratory oil-and gas-drilling leases on federal land that is being considered for reclassification as wilderness...
That case points to the central issue between Watt and environmentalists: their fear that he will let private oil and mining companies dig, drill and scrape at will on Western public lands. Says Chuck Malick, president of the High Country Citizens Alliance in Crested Butte, Colo.: "The West is being given away. We will become an energy colony for the East and West coasts...
...Watt readily confirmed that he intends to "bring some dramatic changes" to federal land management. "My heart is in the West," he said. "This is my land, and it will be managed with love and delicate concern." He pledged to move aggressively to inventory Western public lands that might have potential for oil, gas and coal exploration. He views his opponents as "environmental extremists-one of these special-interest groups [who would] deny the balanced management of resources for the benefit of consumers and for all of America." He acknowledged that this belief might cause some Senators to fight...
...Watt has several allies who share his view that land-use policies have tilted too much in favor of environmentalists. Says Walter Hickel, the former Alaska land developer who surprised critics with his pro-environment policies as Richard Nixon's Interior Secretary (and Watt's boss): "There are lots of questions to be asked about current policies, and Watt will bring a balanced position to them." Watt does have a keen sense of humor, which he often uses to break the tension of hot-tempered debates. In his new job, Watt may need a chuckle a minute...