James Watt, Reagan's Pro-Development Interior Secretary, Dies at 85

Watt aggressively pursued policies favoring industry over environment during tenure and resigned under pressure.
He significantly expanded oil, gas and coal production on public lands while limiting protections for national parks and monuments.
Watt's policies and inflammatory comments sparked opposition from environmentalists and criticism from others.
He later pleaded guilty to withholding documents from a federal grand jury investigating corruption in the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Though controversial, Watt shaped Reagan administration's approach to managing natural resources and public lands.