SavingSeaFood - Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke Announces Decisions Today on Special Master Report on Law Enforcement Cases

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Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke Announces Decisions Today on Special Master Report on Law Enforcement Cases

Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke will hold a media availability today to announce his decisions on the report by Special Master Charles W. Swartwood III. NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco will join the secretary for the announcement to provide details about how NOAA will put in place these decisions.

WHAT: Phone press availability

WHO: Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce, Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator

WHEN: Tuesday, May 17, 1:45 – 2:15 p.m. EDT

CALL-IN INFO: Please contact Scott Smullen or Jennifer Austin at 202-482-6090 for call-in information.

BACKGROUND: On Sept. 23, 2010, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke appointed the Honorable Charles B. Swartwood III, a retired judge and former Chief Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, and current chairman of the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, to serve as special master to review enforcement cases that the Commerce Department’s Inspector General identified as problematic, some dating as far back as the early 2000s. NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco requested the IG review of law enforcement in 2009. Dr. Lubchenco has made reforming the law enforcement program to ensure a fair, effective and transparent program a top priority.

A press release, Secretary Locke’s decision memo, and the Special Master report will be posted later today at www.noaa.gov

HASTINGS: Time to improve the Endangered Species Act

May 18, 2012 - When the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law in 1973 by President Nixon, he spoke about the importance of preserving “the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” I believe that goal is as important today as it was back then. However, after nearly 40 years, it’s time to take a fresh, honest look at the law and consider whether there are ways it could be improved to do a better job of protecting and recovering species.

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