Top Wildlife Official Takes Leave

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department Director Mollie Beattie is taking medical leave to undergo treatment for brain cancer.

Beattie, the first woman to hold the position, had a cancerous tumor removed from her brain in July, but it has started to grow back.

Beattie, who was appointed to head the agency by President Bill Clinton, described the tumor as “very operable.”

Actor and environmental activist Robert Redford is campaigning and fundraising for Montana Democratic Sen. Max Baucus’ 1996 re-election bid, calling him “one of the stalwarts” opposing the new congressional rampage against environmental protection.

Baucus is ranking minority member on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

“Already the forces who want to roll back environmental standards and progress have pledged to do everything they can to defeat Max,” Redford said in a mailing requesting Baucus donations.

Montana’s Republican Lt. Gov. Dennis Rehberg, Baucus’ only announced opponent, said he expects environmental issues to play a large role in the campaign.

Ted Clausing, an 18-year veteran of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department, has been named regional ecosystem director for the Yakima area by Bob Turner, agency director.

Clausing, 43, is a Yakima native. He graduated in wildlife biology from Washington State University and has a master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from South Dakota State University. He’s served as an area wildlife biologist in Kennewick and has been the habitat program manager in Yakima since 1988.

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