James G. Watt, who as President Ronald Reagan’s first Interior secretary tilted environmental policies sharply toward commercial exploitation, touching off a national debate over the development or preservation of America’s public lands and resources, died on May 27 in Arizona.
His son, Eric Watt, confirmed his death in a text message but declined to cite a cause.
After taking office in 1981, Mr. Watt was asked at a hearing of the House Interior Committee if he favored preserving wilderness areas for future generations.
“I do not know how many future generations we can count on before the Lord returns,” he said.
Mr. Watt, a born-again Christian and a lifelong Republican, saw himself as a servant of God and prayed with colleagues at work.
Persons:
James G, Watt, Ronald Reagan’s, Eric Watt, Reagan, Critics, Lord, ”, God
Organizations:
Republican
Locations:
Arizona, Denver, “