Ron Huntsinger

Anti-Science Bully for Bush Gov't "Science" directorate

BLM National Science Coordinator

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In 2006, as reward for "fixing" the Carrizo Plain, as he said was his task, and instigating Marlene Braun's suicide, Huntsinger left the Bakersfield office for Washington. The bully was promoted!

About the Carrizo Plain he was leaving, he told a reporter, "Grazing is one of the most effective ways to restore native conditions, and I think it is going to continue."

But Neil Havlik, natural resources director for the city of San Luis Obispo, who headed the Advisory Committee during Marlene's time there and does so again, said "Livestock grazing in much of the monument's valley floor is unjustifiable. That doesn't mean none, but only when there is sufficient rainfall and forage."

In other words, Huntsinger's scientific credibility is questionable. But he does have a bachelor's degree in biology!

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Remarkably, Huntsinger, during the reign of the George W Bush administration and its habit of promoting incompetents (doin' a heckuva job Brownie), was named National Science Coordinator for BLM in Washington, DC.

In his new role, he pontificates on all things scientific. Presumably, he is now an authority on Climate Change as well as conservation of preserved environments.

On April 26, 2007, he testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies about climate change.

Especially revealing of his ideological loyalty is this sentence in his conclusion about climate change:

"much is still to be learned, including answers to such fundamental questions as how much of the change we are witnessing is attributable to natural changes and how much is a result of anthropogenic effects..."

Read the transcript of his drivel to Congress. (in .pdf format)

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Finally, Huntsinger was officially exonerated for his role in the death of Marlene Braun by the report by Dept. of Interior Inspector General, Earl Devaney.

According to a LA Times May 5, 2007 article about the heavily redacted OIG report that had to be obtained by the Freedom of Information Act (i.e., Interior did not voluntarily issue the investigative report about operations at the Bakersfield office under Huntsinger nor did it provide a complete, unedited copy), "BLM did not take action to resolve long-standing differences."

And there were questionable response delays and property removals not authorized by law enforcement on the scene after BLM Bakersfield learned of Braun's intention to commit suicide.

Huntsinger's career plods along. Marlene Braun remains dead.