James G. Watt, Reagan's Interior Secretary, Passes Away at 85.
James Watt, the Reagan administration's pro-development Interior Secretary, has died at the age of 85. Watt aggressively pushed for oil, gas, and coal leases on public land, increased offshore drilling, and limited expansion of national parks and monuments. He was beloved by conservatives but ran afoul of environmentalists, Beach Boys fans, and eventually the president. Watt's policies and offensive comments led to his resignation in 1983.