BACKGROUND
Norton's agency manages 1 of every 5 acres of land in the U.S. and is the primary agency handling the conservation of land, wildlife and resources. It also manages the land and services provided to Native American Indians. The BIA, the BLM and the National Parks are administered by the Department of the Interior as are federal dams and water resources. The Department sells and leases the energy, mineral, timber and water resources on federal lands to third parties—resources that represent over 1/3 of the nation's oil, gas and coal production. Prior to joining the Administration, Norton, a lawyer, was the Attorney General of Colorado.

PREMISE OF THE SUIT
SPADES are members of President George W. Bush's Administration, either Cabinet members or Advisors. The departments they lead implement the rules and policies established by the Administration as well as by the laws passed by the U.S. Congress, the House of Representatives and the Senate. They are in power as appointees of the President who is in office because of the choices made in the 2000 Presidential election by the voters and the U.S. Supreme Court.

LINKS
www.doi.gov/secretary/biography.html
www.whitehouse.gov/government/cabinet.html