Murra W. Hitzman

    

December 17, 2017

William Werkheiser

Exercising the Authority of the Director
U. 5. Geological Survey

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Reston, VA. 20192

Dear Bill:

I hereby resign my position as Associate Director for Energy and Minerals. i am tendering my
resignation due to the U. 5. Geological Survey providing the final results of the energy
assessment of the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPRA) to the Secretary of interior
several days in advance of the information's public release, in contradiction of my
interpretation of U.S.G.S. fundamental science policy. Scienti?c integrity is the bedrock of the
Survey and must be preserved for the Bureau to properly serve the Nation. Though I
understand my resignation will not change the data release, i feel that as head of the Energy
and Minerals Mission Area I must register my protest of this action. I wish all the best to the
US. Geological Survey moving forward.

Sincerely,

77/13 w. 

Murray W. Hitzman
Associate Director- Energy and Minerals