Wyoming Livestock Lawyer Appointed at DOI

October 18, 2018 - The appointment of Wyoming attorney Karen Budd Falen as deputy solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has sparked concern among conservationists. Known for her legal battles against environmental groups, Falen's new role involves providing legal counsel for the DOI and Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke.

The American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign) has frequently faced Budd Falen in federal court, most recently in Salt Lake City on April 11, 2017. Her career has been marked by representing ranchers who aim to take control of public lands from the federal government, often opposing environmental efforts to protect these lands.

Budd Falen's appointment is seen as part of a troubling trend within the Interior Department, potentially threatening the future of wild horses and burros on public lands. Her ties to the Public Lands Council, a lobbying group for ranchers, further highlight the potential conflicts of interest in her new position.

As the daughter-in-law of John Falen, head of the Public Lands Council, her appointment continues a pattern that could be detrimental to the preservation of our natural heritage.