Public Lands

Executive Director

Tim is PEER’s Executive Director, with more than 30 years of experience working on environmental issues with governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. Prior to joining PEER, he was a senior attorney at the United States Environmental Protection Agency and was head of the Law and Policy Program at the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Montreal, Canada. He has worked as a consultant for companies on environmental compliance issues, and with nonprofit organizations focusing on clean energy issues. Most recently, he was executive director of Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, a health advocacy group working to address climate change, toxics pollution, and nuclear disarmament issues. Tim’s interest is in the intersection of science, policy, and civil service. He believes in protecting employees who raise concerns about their workplace and in exposing undue influence on government for private gain. He holds a JD and BA from Emory University and an MA from New York University.

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 PEER | 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 ...