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Ex. 6 - Personal Privacy
tPAPress Office
Sat 9/2/2017 11:35:00 AM WIDESPREAD PRAISE FOR MATT LEOPOLD
WIDESPREAD PRAISE FOR MATT LEOPOLD
Leopold Nominated as EPA General Counsel
WASHINGTON (September 2, 2017) Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Matt Leopold to serve as general counsel for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Leopold previously served as general counsel for Florida Department of Environmental Protection from March 2013 to February 2015 and as an attorney for the United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division from January 2007 to February 2013. He is currently of counsel for Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A. focusing on environment, energy, water law, and litigation.
His nomination is receiving high accolades from environmental leaders across the country:
Marco Rubio, United States senator: "Matt Leopold's experience and knowledge will serve EPA well, and I'm glad the president nominated a Floridian who understands the importance of our state's vast ecosystems to our economy and residents' quality of life."
Pam Bondi, attorney general of Florida: "Matt Leopold was a great asset to the Florida............... Department of Environmental Protection and I look forward to him working together with my friend Scott Pruitt."
Adam Putnam, Florida commissioner of agriculture: "I'm thrilled to see another Floridian joining President Trump's Administration. After eight years of increased regulations and fees under President Obama, with little to nothing to show for it, I'm grateful for folks like Matt Leopold, who bring a wealth of expertise and experience to Washington, as well as a common sense approach to protecting our environment, while enabling our economy to grow and thrive."
John Cruden, president-elect of the American College of Environmental Lawyers and Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice (12/2014-1/2017): "Matt Leopold was a valued colleague of mine at the Department of Justice. He is committed to the rule of law and can be counted on to give sound and candid advice to EPA decision makers."
Eric Draper, executive director, Florida Audubon: "He has a good legal mind, strong leadership skills and knows how to work with different interests to bring resolution to complicated issues. During Mr. Leopold's tenure at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, I worked closely with the department on resolution of Everglades water quality issues necessary to settle federal litigation. Being directly involved, I saw that the state was successful in negotiating with USEPA a plan that allowed agreement on, and eventual legislative approval of, a plan called `Restoration Strategies' to create remedies to meet Everglades water quality criterion."
Eric Eikenberg, chief executive officer, The Everglades Foundation: "Few attorneys in America are as familiar with the legal issues - and importance - of Everglades restoration as is Matt Leopold,
Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
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and I heartily applaud his nomination to be the next general counsel of EPA. Our paths have crossed often in the 12 years since I first met Matt. I respect him as an attorney and a person of integrity. He understands the importance of America's Everglades and the critical need for restoration. Matt will serve Florida and our nation well, and I look forward to working with him and EPA to ensure America's Everglades are protected and restored.''
Ethan Shenkman, EPA deputy general counsel (05/2014-01/2016) and DOJ deputy assistant attorney general, Environment and Natural Resources Division (03/2010-05/2014): "During the Obama Administration, I served in the DOJ environmental division and then at EPA. During that time, I had the opportunity to work closely with Matt Leopold on a number of environmental issues, where we crafted creative and responsible legal solutions to protect the environment, especially relating to the State of Florida where Matt served as general counsel of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In addition to his legal acumen and broad knowledge of environmental law, I believe Matt's previous experience as a well-respected career attorney at ENRD will serve him well should he be confirmed, and will enable him to foster a productive working relationship with the talented and dedicated career staff in EPA's legal shop."
Herschel Vinyard, co-chair, Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council; secretary, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (01/2011-12/2014): "The first thing that the nation will learn about Matt Leopold is his unassailable integrity. The second thing the nation will learn about Matt Leopold is his unwavering commitment to following the law. I have seen firsthand how he brings those two key traits to the table, applies common sense and arrives at the ideal solution to complex problems. Kudos to the Trump Administration and Administrator Pruitt for making this selection."
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Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
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| Ex. 6 - Personal Privacy i
'EPAPfess'Oftice
Sat 9/2/2017 11:30:00 AM WIDESPREAD PRAISE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS FOR DAVID ROSS
WIDESPREAD PRAISE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS FOR DAVID ROSS
Ross Nominated to Head EPA Office of Water
WASHINGTON (September 2, 2017) - President Donald J. Trump announced yesterday his intent to nominate David Ross to serve as assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water. Mr. Ross currently serves as Wisconsin assistant attorney general and director of the Environmental Protection Unit for the Wisconsin Department of Justice. As Wisconsin assistant attorney general, he is responsible for managing the environmental litigation unit which prosecutes violations of state environmental and natural resources laws and defends administrative decisions and rules issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Ross previously served in the Wyoming Attorney General's Office from 2014-2016 as senior assistant attorney general and as a member of the Water and Natural Resources Division.
His nomination is receiving high accolades from environmental leaders across the country:
David Freudenthal, former governor of Wyoming: "Dave Ross is first and foremost an excellent, pragmatic lawyer. His private practice experience in DC combined with his service in two state environmental protection agencies make him uniquely qualified to implement America's nuanced structure of federal and state environmental protection."
Misael Cabrera, director, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality:"Mr. Ross has exceptional credentials and experience for the role of Water Director. In addition, his views on cooperative federalism are exactly what is needed at US EPA."
Carol Comer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources: "The Missouri Department of Natural Resources would welcome the opportunity to work with Dave on our critical water issues. He has valuable experience with complex, multi-state policy decisions, and he understands the infrastructure challenges and needs of states like Missouri that have a significant number of small communities.''
David Glatt, chief, North Dakota Department of Health, Environmental Health Section: "Mr. Ross exhibits an excellent understanding of western water issues and challenges faced by rural states and tribal nations. His knowledge and work experience coupled with his willingness to pursue a renewed approach to cooperative federalism make him an excellent candidate for the position."
Elliott Laws, Crowell and Moring LLP, former assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Solid Waste (Clinton): "I know David Ross to be smart, innovative and practical in all of his professional dealings. I fully expect him to bring those qualities with him to the Office of Water."
Todd Parfitt, director, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality: "Mr. Ross possesses the necessary tools to effectively and appropriately oversee EPA's Water program in a fair, balanced and practical way. He has demonstrated his ability to objectively analyze and consider inputs from all
Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
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points of view and formulate a fair and reasoned approach resulting in clear and concise decisions."
Steve Quarles, attorney at Nossaman LLP, former deputy under secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (Carter): "I have worked with Dave for many years as law firm partners. Dave's greatest skill may be leading people with diverse views and interests to common ground. People with such diverse views and interests naturally gravitate to Dave and look to him for leadership. This happens because Dave is highly intelligent, both in mastering issues and devising innovative solutions, and is an excellent listener, encouraging all to participate. He also has exhibited masterful administrative skills - from leading informal cohorts of private attorneys through complex decision making to managing high performing public offices."
Gary Rikard, director, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality: "I believe Dave Ross would be an excellent addition to EPA's Office of Water. His experience and real world view in working for two different states would enhance this administration's goal of improving cooperative federalism and building relationships between EPA and the states in administering environmental regulations and policy. That perspective, along with his environmental experience and legal background, will be an asset for the Agency."
Matthias Sayer, deputy cabinet secretary, New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resource Department: "We out west are beyond satisfied with the appointment of Mr. Ross as the assistant administrator for Water. Mr. Ross has a full understanding of those statutes aimed at protecting our water, coupled with a full understanding of how those statutes can and do impact state and local communities. Furthermore, through his boots on the ground experience, Mr. Ross has gained an appreciation for the important role states play, both in the east and dryer west, in protecting our water, and he understands that it is by working in cooperation with the states that the greatest degree of success in this important program will be achieved."
John Tippetts, director, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality: "I just recently spoke with David for the first time, but I find him to be a person with significant relative experience, a keen intellect, and a good grasp of the appropriate interplay between states and the federal government as it relates to environmental regulation and enforcement. Additionally, he comes highly recommend to me by others who have worked closely with him. They assure me that he is an excellent choice to serve as assistant administrator for water in the EPA organization.
"More specifically, I can say that I have been impressed with David's candor and with his understanding of the need for EPA to work more cooperatively with the states. He recognizes that states often have a better understanding of howto address environmental issues within their borders than does the federal government, and I am confident we could work collaboratively to improve the positive outcomes we all desire."
Sierra Club v. EPA, 1:17-cv-01906
ED_001523_00005429-00002