Public Lands

Senior Counsel

Jeff serves as Senior 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 | Trump’s Dangerous Salute to Toadyism at Mt. Rushmore

by Jeff Ruch | June 29, 2020
Trump plans to stage a dangerous distraction disguised as fireworks at Mt. Rushmore, risking both wildfires and potentially, public health from the crowds ...

COMMENTARY | National Forests and COVID-19. What’s Happening?

by Tim Whitehouse | June 12, 2020
National Forests receive less attention than parks during COVID-19, but overcrowding, lack of resources, and risk to gateway communities are the same ...

Yellowstone Wi-Fi Plan Driven by Corporate Wishes  

by PEER | June 9, 2020
Trees Felled in Proposed Wilderness and Historic Landmarks Penetrated ...

National Parks’ Illegal, Ill-Considered Rush to E-Bikes  

by PEER | June 8, 2020
Hurried Push to Finalize Regulation Amidst Pandemic Aims to Block Lawsuit ...

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 ...