Interior Secretary Creates Sporting Conservation Council Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton announced on Thursday the creation of a new Sporting Conservation Council that will advise her department on resource conservation issues of interest to the hunting community. The council may recommend policies or programs designed to maintain or restore wetlands, forest and rangeland habitats or to promote access to hunting and recreation on federal lands. Named to the council to serve two-year terms without compensation were 12 leaders in the field, most affiliated with hunting and wildlife conservation organizations.