It has been a truly impressive year at PEER.
As we end the year, I am happy to report that a whistleblower represented by PEER has prevailed after an appeal challenge by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The Merits System Protection Board (MSPB) ruled that the USGS unlawfully retaliated against one of its scientists, Evi Emmenegger, because she reported serious breaches of biosafety in research laboratories. The MSPB directed the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action against USGS managers found to have unlawfully retaliated against Evi.
Over the years, we have written a lot about Evi’s predicament and the personal and public health consequences of USGS’s wrongdoing. Evi has also been kind enough to share her story in this video, which I invite you to watch here
It is important to note that Evi’s case began well before I came to PEER, almost five years ago. Our work is hard, painstaking, and takes time, but we do not give up. Those government employees who report wrongdoing deserve our support.
You can read more about our many successes in 2023. It has been a tremendously rewarding year. Thank you so much for your support, and may the coming year bring all of us a little closer to the government and the world we want to see.
Oil and Gas Waivers Threaten Endangered Prairie Chicken
New data obtained by PEER through the Freedom of Information Act shows that an endangered American prairie grouse is beset by bureaucratic waivers allowing oil and gas drilling in the areas of its habitat where it is most vulnerable. PEER is calling for the Bureau of Land Management to post all waivers they have granted online and for a moratorium on new waivers. Read More »
Park Service Morale Shows Scant Improvement
The morale among employees within the National Park Service (NPS) ranks well below that of other Department of Interior workers and federal employees, according to the latest Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey results posted by PEER. NPS staff give the lowest marks to their own senior agency leadership, with significant percentages expressing concern about excessive workload. Read More »
Unveiling Challenges in Minnesota’s Forest Management
PEER’s own Chandra Rosenthal discusses an employee survey of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff released by PEER that shows a prevailing perception that DNR’s management favors the timber industry over ecological conservation and how PEER is working to address this imbalance. Read More »
