Chuck Schumer: “first let me say I agree with many of my colleagues that Gale Norton is clearly an experienced, capable public servant…”

“first let me say I agree with many of my colleagues that Gale Norton is clearly an experienced, capable public servant with a distinguished record. I know the Senate confirmation process can be an arduous one. I think she has handled herself very well. She has made herself available to questions by those of us on the committee and conducted and presented herself in a very able way. That said, I am afraid Ms. Norton has not been able to erase all my doubts and the doubts of many New Yorkers about her environmental record and whether or not she will be a strong enough guardian of our Nation's treasured public lands. Although she is clearly an honorable person, I believe she does not have a balanced enough view on the question of conservation versus development to serve as Secretary of the Interior. To me, the key word is ``balance.'' I reject those on either side. There are some who say the conservation movement, the conservation of our lands, is really not necessary, or, once you have one place preserved, you have had enough and conservation should hold little weight when we talk about the needs of development. I have always philosophically rejected that view. I must also tell you that I reject the view of some of my friends in the environmental movement who believe in no development at all, particularly at a time of scarce resources. There has to be a balance, and that is what I think most Americans seek.…”