The Environmental Law Institute and the DC Bar Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section hosted a seminar on February 6, 2003 featuring William Myers, Solicitor for the US Department of the Interior. Mr. Myers’ professional background includes serving as executive director of the Public Lands Council, director of federal lands for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and attorney at Holland & Hart (Boise, Idaho). From 1989 to 1992 Mr. Myers was deputy general counsel for programs at the US Department of Energy and assistant to the US Attorney General in Washington, DC.
Appointed in July 2001 to be Interior’s Solicitor, Mr. Myers is the chief legal adviser to the Secretary of the Interior, the Deputy and Assistant Secretaries, Bureaus, and Offices of the Department. The Interior Department’s mission is “to protect America’s treasures for future generations, provide access to our nation’s natural and cultural heritage, offer recreation opportunities, honor our trust responsibilities to American Indians and Alaska Natives and our responsibilities to island communities, conduct scientific research, provide wise stewardship of energy and mineral resources, foster sound use of land and water resources, and conserve and protect fish and wildlife.” The Department manages approximately 507 million acres, about one-fifth of the United States land area.
Mr. Myers highlighted the top natural resource legal issues and other matters that currently occupy the attention of the Interior Department and the Office of the Solicitor.