Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: April 16, 2001

Contact: Mark Pfeifle (202) 208-6416

Norton Praises President Bush's Intention to Nominate
Bennett Raley as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science

"Time and time again, Bennett has helped form partnerships to bring people together to protect our environment and threatened species," said Secretary Norton

(WASHINGTON) - Interior Secretary Gale Norton today praised President Bush's intention to nominate Bennett W. Raley to serve as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science. The announcement is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate once the official nomination is made by the President.

"Time and time again, Bennett Raley has formed partnerships to bring people together to protect our environment and threatened species," said Norton. "Bennett helped develop and implement Endangered Species Recovery Programs in the Upper Colorado and Platte River basins and played a key role in resolving the 10-year deadlock over designation of Colorado Wilderness Areas. Bennett produces real results that will make him an important part of an Interior Department committed to protecting our nation's treasures."

Raley was general counsel for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, which is one of the premier reclamation projects in the United States. He also served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission in federal court litigation in the Rio Grande and Pecos River basins. Raley also played a key role in the negotiation of a resolution of a 10-year deadlock over the designation of Wilderness Areas in Colorado.

Raley participated in innovative efforts in the Upper Colorado River and Platte River basins to provide for the protection of water use and development in a manner consistent with the Endangered Species Act.

Raley is a shareholder of Trout & Raley, P.C. From 1983 through 1990 he was an associate and then a partner at Davis, Graham & Stubbs, Denver, Colorado. During the 102^nd Congress he served as Staff Counsel to United States Senator Hank Brown, whom he assisted during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, the Foreign Relations Committee hearings on BCCI, and the negotiation of the 1993 Colorado Wilderness Act. Bennett also served as Chief Counsel, United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Federalism, and Property Rights for the first 100 days of the 104^th Congress, and was a Co-Chair of the Federal Water Rights Task Force established pursuant to the 1996 Farm Bill.

Raley received a B.S. in Agricultural Business from Colorado State University in 1979, and a J.D. from the University from the Colorado School of Law in 1983.

The Assistant Secretary for Water and Science is responsible for overseeing the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey.

- DOI -