[richlevy]

From here.

Interior secretary resigns
By SAM BISHOP News-Miner Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON--Alaska's biggest landlord, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, announced Friday she will resign at the end of the month. Norton, who turns 52 today, said she and her husband "hope to end up closer to the mountains we love in the West."

Norton led the federal department for five years as it expanded oil leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, began recognizing state ownership of land under Alaska's navigable rivers and proposed a land swap with Doyon Ltd. on the Yukon Flats.

Norton also frequently promoted oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's 1.5 million-acre coastal plain. In a conference call Friday afternoon, a reporter asked why she would leave with that goal yet unmet?

Norton's record, though, drew criticism from Deborah Williams, a former top Alaska aide to Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, Norton's predecessor under the Clinton administration.

"Secretary Norton was personally likable and I was impressed by her commitment to visit the natural wonders of Denali National Park and other places," said Williams. "However, her tenure lacked balance, foresight, good public process and appropriate governance."

The independence of career department employees in Alaska has suffered under Norton, Williams said.

"Appointees have ruled with a very heavy political hand, which has adversely affected the candor and actions of career employees," she said. "It is difficult for many Department of the Interior employees to truly be public servants. That has just amazed me, seeing the difference."

Well, it appears another member of the adminstration is ready to cash in his/her chips. Where will Gale Norton end up?

Cam Toohey, who served as Norton's top aide in Anchorage, declined to comment when reached Friday in Washington. Toohey left the department in January to work in Alaska for the multinational oil company Shell, which has recently bought dozens of oil leases in waters off the state's coast.