"Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) has added his name to the growing list of those challenging the legality of William Perry Pendley's authority to lead the Bureau of Land Management.

Bullock yesterday filed a federal lawsuit claiming Pendley's yearlong stint as BLM's de facto acting director violates federal law.

The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana also says Pendley, whom President Trump nominated last month, must stop performing the duties of BLM director until the Senate confirms his nomination. Pendley is Trump's first nominee for BLM director in nearly four years in office.

An Interior Department spokesman dismissed Bullock's lawsuit as 'nonsense.'"

Scott Streater reports for E&E News July 21, 2020. [2]