The chief counsel of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, assigned to bringing the rule of law to a tarnished enforcement cadre, has proposed what might be called a "let-bygones-be-bygones" policy as the agency strives to gain the trust of an abused fishing industry.
Lois Schiffer, considered an expert in environmental dispute resolution, submitted her policy proposal Thursday to NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco in a package of documents that updated reforms to gain control of the agents who investigate violation cases — and the litigators who bring cases made by the agents.
The Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Commerce produced a scathing report in January based on a six-month national investigation of claims and complaints by members of the fishing industry and their congressional representatives.