Wildlife Deputy Changed Science For Lobbyists

fistfullast33l writes "In another case of a government official creating a 'unique' interpretation of science, TPM Muckraker reports on Julie MacDonald, deputy assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks in the Department of the Interior in Washington. The Department's Inspector General issued a report today documenting evidence that MacDonald not only overrode opinions of department scientists to benefit lobbyists, and political interests, but also that she shared internal documents with said lobbyists and a friend in an unnamed online roleplaying game. My favorite episode: 'At one point, according to Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall, MacDonald tangled with field personnel over designating habitat for the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher, a bird whose range is from Arizona to New Mexico and Southern California. When scientists wrote that the bird had a nesting range of 2.1 miles, MacDonald told field personnel to change the number to 1.8 miles. Hall, a wildlife biologist who told the IG he had had a running battle with MacDonald, said she did not want the range to extend to California because her husband had a family ranch there.'"

Obviously crafting related

[Headw1nd]

"Ms. MacDonald, if you read the report you will see that the white-tailed prairie dog is clearly in need of protec-"

"NO!! I NEED TEN MORE HIDES TO COMPLETE MY CLOAK!!"

Save the dinosaur

[Coolhand2120]

Like all endangered species, their [the yellow whatever] extension can be directly attributed to the rise of mankind. Even the brontosaurus was driven away because of small ground dwelling mammals. Let's just say from this point forward it's our fault. Darwin would never say "Survival of the fittest"

Re:Isn't it about time....

[Dunbal]

We need to legalize the culling of lobbyist. If they can cull baby seals and alligators the culling of lobbyist is long overdue.

      I guess we could always lobby for it. Oh wait - uh, you first!

Re:Save the dinosaur

[Dunbal]

We're not going to get very far once corn crops start withering. If our meat stock dies off, we're getting into even deeper shit.

      Nahh, once you've tasted human you never go back, they say. The only ones in deep shit are the ones not prepared to take that little step, close their eyes, and add lots of onions.

Re:All too common

[ScottForbes]

In South-West Utah, whenever some road work was going to be done, they would find a dead tortoise on the road, and the environmentalists would cry foul. After they did an autopsy on one, they found frozen lettuce in its stomach. The environmentalists had caught them live, fed them for a while, then froze them until "needed".

...and even worse, Al Gore is using his internet to keep this story from being reported! [google.com]

Re:Science at the Dept. of the Interior?

[Anonymous Coward]

is a haven for folks who all share the same opinions and work towards the same agenda.

Hey that sounds so much like Slashdot... whattaya know!