Secretary Kempthorne Applauds Nomination of Senator Salazar

U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, at left, joined Secretary Kempthorne on Oct. 16, 2008, near Durango, Colorado at an event celebrating the Animas-La Plata water project. [Photo by Tami Heilemann, DOI-NBC]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today issued the following statement on President-Elect Barack Obama’s nomination of U.S. Senator Ken Salazar to be the next Secretary of the Interior:

“Ken Salazar is an excellent selection for Secretary of the Interior. As a lifelong Westerner and rancher who has led Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources and is a member of the Senate Energy Committee, Senator Salazar already understands many of Interior’s diverse and complex issues. He recognizes the importance that America’s federal lands must play in reducing our dependence on foreign energy; he supports our national parks; he has positive relationships with American Indian tribes; he understands the complexities of western water issues.

“I have enjoyed my working relationship with Senator Salazar for the past 2 ½ years.

“I am proud of the Department of the Interior’s role in producing traditional and renewable energy; funding our national parks at record levels; improving the health of our lands and forests, of which 10 million acres have undergone hazardous fuels treatment; protecting and recovering listed species, including the American bald eagle; solving long-running water disputes, including the development of a seven-state agreement on Colorado River water; protecting lives from natural hazards; and improving the lives of those in Indian Country and insular areas.

“Senator Salazar will lead 73,000 professional, dedicated employees with whom I have been proud to serve.”

To view the accomplishments of the Department of the Interior, visit www.doi.gov/accomplishments.