Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and Western Watersheds Project (WWP) filed an expedited motion earlier this month seeking to remove Margaret Everson, new director of the National Park Service (NPS).
PEER and WWP assert Everson’s designation by Secretary of Interior David Bernhardt violates the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The NPS director position requires “advice and consent” of the U.S. Senate under the Constitution and can only be appointed by the president.
A similar legal challenge by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) was raised against Bureau of Land Management acting Director William Perry Pendley, who was ousted following a decision by a Montana District Court judge. Bullock is contesting actions taken by Pendley concerning the state.
