Public Lands

Of Counsel

Jeff serves as Of Counsel to PEER, where he specializes in civil service, scientific integrity, and whistleblower protection issues. Jeff was PEER’s Executive Director from 1997 to 2019 and its Pacific Director from 2019 to 2025. Previously, he was the Policy Director and a staff attorney at the Government Accountability Project, representing whistleblowers from both the public and private sectors. Before coming to DC, Jeff worked in California state government for 17 years, mostly in the State Legislature as counsel to various committees where he drafted hundreds of laws on topics ranging from energy conservation to the rights of employed inventors. Jeff served stints as a deputy district attorney and an appellate court clerk. He is a graduate of the California Correctional Officers Academy.

BLOG | It’s Time to Take on Interior Department Corruption

by Tim Whitehouse | June 2, 2020
In the midst of a pandemic, corruption at the Department of Interior continues with slashed oil and gas royalties and fines on renewable energy companies ...

BLOG | National Parks Stumble Towards Reforms

by Jeff Ruch |
In order for national parks to remain “America’s Best Idea,” park managers must move from merely maximizing crowds to actually managing them ...

BLOG | There Is No “Trump Exemption” – That Is Why We Are Suing

by Tim Whitehouse | May 19, 2020
PEER and Western Watersheds Project sued the Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, alleging that Bernhardt has used temporary appointees to lead the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management in violation of federal laws and the U.S. Constitution ...

Lawsuit Seeks Ouster of Park Service and BLM Leaders  

by Susan Sargent | May 11, 2020
Violations of Constitution and Vacancies Act Charged for Unconfirmed Chiefs ...

BLOG: Sliming Lincoln’s Memorial

by Jeff Ruch | May 7, 2020
Interior Secretary Bernhardt ordered the Lincoln Memorial closed so that President Trump could give an interview on the current pandemic ...
Phone: 202-265-7337

962 Wayne Avenue, Suite 610
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4453

Copyright 2001–2025 Public Employees for
Environmental Responsibility

PEER is a 501(c)(3) organization
EIN: 93-1102740