"Zinke Signed Order In January Making 'Acting' Directors Official"

"Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke gave 10 of his acting directors more permanence in January, signing an order giving them most of the authority of a Senate-confirmed director.

Signed under the radar, Zinke’s Jan. 12 order gave the acting directors for such bureaus as the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service “temporary re-delegation of authority,” according to the order obtained by watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

Under their new roles, the 10 employees filling in as acting directors and assistant secretaries during President Trump’s transition period were elevated to official roles, so long as their jobs only entail “those functions or duties that are not required by statute or regulation to be performed only by the Senate-confirmed official occupying the position.”"

Miranda Green reports for The Hill March 5, 2018.