Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: July 13, 2001

Contact: Frank Quimby (202) 208-6416

Secretary Norton Praises Senate Confirmation of Lynn Scarlett

"Lynn Scarlett has forged innovative partnerships
 between government, environmental groups, industry, and everyday citizens
committed to protecting and conserving our environment"

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today praised the Senate's bipartisan confirmation of Lynn Scarlett as the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget.

"Lynn will open lines of communication between the Department and all people who pledge to preserve our nation's treasures, species, and habitat while keeping our prosperity moving forward," Norton said in applauding Scarlett's confirmation.

"Throughout her career, Lynn has forged innovative partnerships between government, environmental groups, industry, and everyday citizens committed to protecting and conserving our environment."

"I am honored by this appointment and eager to join Secretary Norton's leadership team at Interior," said Scarlett. "The Department has critical and far-reaching stewardship missions that touch the lives of millions of Americans. I look forward to working in close, collaborative initiatives with our state, tribal, and private sector partners to meet those responsibilities."

Before joining Interior, Scarlett was president and CEO of the Reason Foundation in Los Angeles, a nationally recognized research and education organization that explores and promotes public policies based on rationality and freedom. As president, she oversaw the foundation's two divisions, Reason Public Policy Institute and REASON, a monthly public affairs magazine.

Scarlett first worked for the Reason Foundation in 1980 as special projects editor. She became director of Research in 1985, and vice president of Research in 1991, where she analyzed environmental policy and land use issues.

As executive director from 1997-2001, she built a national reputation for her work on common sense environmental policy. She has published chapters in numerous books, magazine and trade articles, and position papers on land use management, recycling, and innovative environmental practices.

Scarlett was appointed chairperson of California's Inspection and Maintenance Review Committee in 1994-95 and 1996-2000 and has worked with the Environmental Protection Agency on solid waste projects.

She received her bachelor and master degrees in political science from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1970 and 1973. She also completed Ph.D. course work in political science and political economy at the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1980.

Scarlett was on the Dean's Advisory Council at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California-Santa Barbara. She also was a member of the board of trustees of the National Environmental Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Audubon Society.

As the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget, Scarlett is responsible for providing policy guidance and administrative and fiscal oversight of the Department, including the divisions of personnel, budget, and policy.

The Senate confirmed Scarlett and several other Interior nominations on July 12 by a unanimous consent voice vote.

-DOI-

U.S. Department of the Interior