Sally Jewell, the former petroleum engineer and banker who led REI for the last eight years,  started her first day as the 51st Secretary of the Interior Monday with a round of staff meetings to discuss energy development, conservation, Indian Affairs and youth engagement.


 

 

Jewell was officially sworn in on Friday, April 12 at the Supreme Court of the United States by retired Justice Sandra Day OConnor, who had worked with Jewell on the National Parks Second Century Commission, an independent commission charged with developing a twenty-first century vision for the National Park Service. The U.S. Senate confirmed Jewell’s nomination Friday in an 87-11 vote.
 


Jewell spent her first day on the job Monday in meetings with some of the department’s more than 70,000 employees on issues before the Department, including energy development, conservation, Indian Affairs and youth engagement.

In brief remarks to employees who greeted Secretary Jewell as she entered the main Interior building in Washington, D.C., Jewell underscored her commitment to public service.

There is no higher calling than public service, and I am honored and humbled to be serving as your Secretary of the Interior, Jewell said. At Interior, we have vast responsibilities to the American people, from making smart decisions about the natural resources with which we have been blessed, to honoring our word to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Our public lands are huge economic engines for the nation, added Jewell. From energy development to tourism and outdoor recreation, our lands and waters power our economy and create jobs. I look forward to working with you all to ensure that we are managing our public lands wisely and sustainably so that their multiple uses are available for the generations to come.

 

Over her career, Jewell has worked to ensure that public lands are accessible and relevant to all people from all backgrounds.
We have a generation of children growing up without any connection to nature, said Jewell. From our urban parks to the vast lands of the BLM, the Department of the Interior is well positioned to build a deep and enduring connection between the great outdoors and a new generation of Americans and visitors.


Under Jewell, REI has been a major supporter of OIAs efforts to secure more federal funding for wilderness conservation, outdoor recreation and youth outreach programs. She played a leading role helping the Obama Administration shape Americas Great Outdoors Initiative, which envisions better coordination of government and private conservation efforts. OIA counts the initiative as a major victory because it explicitly recognizes outdoor recreation on public lands as a significant source of jobs and wealth, particularly in rural communities. Jewells interim successor, Brian Unmacht, currently serves as first vice chair on OIAs board of directors.



In her new role, Jewell will have to balance the competing interests of her former industry and its allies in the conservation community with those of the energy, timber, ranching and other extractive industries. Supporters argue her career as a CEO, conservationist, petroleum engineer and banker make her ideal for the job.

 

She will be under tremendous pressure to expand oil and gas exploration on federal lands, including some conservationists want protected or set aside for recreational use. This became evident during confirmation hearings, when many Western Senators asked Jewell what she would do to expedite energy exploration on federal lands and waters. All 11 Senators who voted against Jewells nomination Thursday are Republican.
 



The Department of the Interior needs a leader with a balanced vision for the future of the nations lands and waters, and Sally Jewell is that person, said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO of OIA. We thank Secretary Salazar for his leadership and thoughtful, balanced approach to managing our nations natural resources.