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Michael Bogert, EPA Northwest Regional Administrator, Accepts Department of Interior Position

Release Date: 06/07/2006
Contact Information: Mark MacIntyre, macintyre.mark@epa.gov, 206-553-7302

(Seattle, WA – June 7, 2006) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator L. Michael Bogert has announced that he will accept the position of Counselor to Secretary Dirk Kempthorne at the U.S. Department of Interior. Ron Kreizenbeck, Deputy Regional Administrator, will serve as Acting Regional Administrator upon Bogert’s departure on July 8, 2006.

Bogert joined the EPA in August, 2005. During his 10 month tenure, he helped negotiate a landmark agreement with a Canadian firm to fund the investigation of toxics impacts in the Upper Columbia River in Washington State and injected fresh energy and a new perspective into the Coeur d'Alene Basin Commission in its collaborative effort in northern Idaho. He fostered strong partnerships with both Oregon and Washington, as well as provided advice and counsel to Alaska in the state’s initiative to assume delegation of the federal water quality permitting program.

According to Bogert, working at EPA was truly memorable:

"Environmental challenges in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska are as diverse as its citizens, cultures, and landscapes. I believe the Bush Administration and EPA will continue to play an important role in addressing these challenges by lending its considerable expertise to collaborate with those who share its ethic of innovative problem-solving. I am exceedingly grateful to have had this opportunity to serve with EPA staff and other partners who are so committed to preserving and enhancing this special place."

Prior to joining the EPA, Bogert served as the principal legal advisor to Governor Kempthorne of Idaho for over five years. In that capacity, he advised Idaho’s Chief Executive and executive branch agencies on legal implications of state policy and legislation, with an emphasis on environmental issues and matters within the jurisdiction of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Idaho Department of Water resources.

Regional Administrator (yosemite.epa.gov/R10/EXTAFF.NSF/Programs/RA+Office)

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