The Department of the Interior is expected to overturn politically-biased environmental decisions made by former high-profile employee Julie MacDonald, who during her three years mandate has constantly privileged industry lobbyists in detriment of alarming scientific reports.

Julie MacDonald, a senior political appointee working as a deputy assistant secretary for fish and wildlife and parks, was found guilty during an internal investigation of improperly using classified information and of favoring industry insiders over scientists.

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said last week that up to 10 decisions taken by MacDonald could be overturned or modified in a way that would allow the inclusion of several endangered species under the protection offered by Endangered Species Act. Among them are the Preble’s meadow jumping mouse found in the Rocky Mountains, the Southwestern willow flycatcher, the white-tailed prairie dog, 12 species of Hawaiian picture-wing flies, the arroyo toad, the California red-legged frog and the Canada lynx.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service H. Dale Hall found MacDonald guilty of breaking federal rules and recommended punishment for MacDonald’s dictatorial behavior concerning biologists. Moreover, MacDonald was also heavily involved in delisting the endangered Sacramento splittail, a fish found only in California's Central Valley, while owning an 80-acre farm inside the fish’s habitat.

According to Washington Post, Julie MacDonald has consistently “rejected staff scientists’ recommendations to protect imperiled animals and plants under the Endangered Species Act.” A civil engineer with no training in biology, she has “overruled and disparaged” the findings of her staff, instead “relying on the recommendations of political and industry groups.” MacDonald resigned on May 1.

“We wouldn’t [reverse MacDonald’s actions] if we didn’t suspect the decision would be different,” Mr. Hall said in a telephone conference with journalists. “It’s a blemish on the scientific integrity of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior.”

"We're reviewing a number of decisions that Julie MacDonald was involved with and we're determining how best to proceed," said Chris Tollefson, a spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Service, who wouldn't confirm anything more. "There are a lot of things under consideration."

In the last six years, the Bush administration has added fewer species to the endangered list than any other since the law was enacted in 1973. In two mandates, the Bush administration has added only 54 species to the endangered species list, while during the single mandate of the current president’s father, George H.W. Bush, 231 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, plants and insects have received protection.    

The current slowdown has resulted in a waiting list of 279 candidates that are near extinction, according to government scientists, from California's Yosemite toad to Puerto Rico's elfin-woods warbler.

Since 2000, the Bush administration has also cut budgets for environmental organizations, with the US Fish and Wildlife Service receiving 15% less money than before. A 28% cut is also envisioned for 2008, in the context in which the Wildlife Service is confronted with a 30% vacancy rate in the program’s staff and with the lack of a leader for more than a year.

The budget cuts have cost some species their very existence, since roughly 200 of those 1,326 listed in the Endangered Species Act are on the brink of extinction, due to the lack of funds to support their breeding.

"It's wonderful the bald eagle is recovering -- one of the most charismatic and best funded species ever," said Jamie Rappaport Clark, a former director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service who now works for Defenders of Wildlife, an advocacy group. "But what's happening with the other species? This administration has starved the endangered species' budget. It has dismantled and demoralized its staff."