Designation of Secretary of the Interior Watt as Chairman of the Water Resources Council

The President today announced his intention to designate James G. Watt to serve as Chairman of the Water Resources Council.

Mr. Watt was nominated by Presidentelect Reagan to serve as Secretary of the Interior on December 22, 1980. He was confirmed by the Senate on January 22, 1981. In 1977-80 he was president and chief legal officer, Mountain States Legal Foundation. In 1977 he served as Vice Chairman of the Federal Power Commission and served as a Commissioner in 1975-77.

In 1972-75 Mr. Watt was Director, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, Department of the Interior. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior in 1969-72, and special assistant to the Secretary and Under Secretary of the Interior in 1969. He was secretary to the Natural Resources Committee and the Environmental Pollution Advisory Panel, Chamber of Commerce of the United States, in 1966-69. In 1962-66 he was legislative assistant and counsel to former U.S. Senator Simpson (R-Wyo.).

Mr. Watt was graduated from the University of Wyoming (B.S., 1960; J.D., 1962). He is married and has two children and resides in Englewood, Colo. Mr. Watt was born in Lusk, Wyo., on January 31, 1938.