Bishop wants federal workers under scrutiny to 'step aside' for now The Interior Department's inspector general has started a probe into inappropriate ties between environmental lobbyists and the National Landscape Conservation System, according to Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah. Bishop - ranking member of the national parks, forests and public lands subcommittee - called for quick action and demanded that federal employees under scrutiny be removed, at least temporarily. "The department must insist that any employee [under investigation for possible] violations of the anti-lobbying law step aside until the inspector general or the Justice Department has reviewed his or her conduct," Bishop said. "We will not tolerate misconduct by public officials." Interior officials have told Bishop's staff that they have documents that indicate "extensive coordination" between top conservation-system employees and lobbyists for environmental groups. It is against the law for federal funds to be used to lobby Congress....