Ex-Sec. Salazar forms conservation PAC

Former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has formed a nonpartisan political action committee with philanthropist Louis Bacon focused on conservation efforts.

{mosads}They will both serve as honorary co-chairmen of America’s Conservation PAC, which will support congressional candidates committed to conserving lands and wildlife.

“America’s lands and wildlife are our shared inheritance, and voters expect their members of Congress to be working together to conserve these important resources,” Salazar said a statement.

“America’s Conservation PAC will support leaders, no matter their political party, who believe it’s time for Congress to get to work again to protect those special places we want our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”

Environmental issues were largely sent to the back burner during this year’s congressional session. The government shutdown, which closed national parks and monuments, interfered with conservation projects.  

The last Congress also was the first since World War II not to protect a single new acre of public land as wilderness, national park or a monument, Salazar said in the release.

Salazar served as President Obama’s Interior secretary during his first term. Sally Jewell succeeded him in April. Salazar also previously served as a Democratic senator from Colorado.

Bacon, a billionaire hedge fund manager, has previously supported Republican causes.