EPA  (CONT)

Former Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary Julie MacDonald resigned last year after an inspector general's report said she manipulated agency biologists' work, bullied scientists and colluded with industry lobbyists.

"We still have political appointees in these agencies, and political people should not be getting their hands on this," Siegel said.

The completed work on the decision by the polar bear scientists in the Alaska field office was sent to headquarters Dec. 14, according to Bruce Woods, an agency spokesman in Anchorage, Alaska.

In speaking with reporters, Hall answered questions regarding the timing of the delay and the upcoming lease sale in the Chukchi Sea.

If the polar bear were listed, the lease would have to meet the protections under the act and other laws, Hall said.
Hall said he hasn't spoken to White House staff about the polar bear decision. He discusses it with Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, he said.

Hugh Vickery, a spokesman for the Interior Department, said, "They're using the extra time to get it right. This decision will be made in accordance with the Endangered Species Act based on the best scientific and commercial data."

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