Why did the appointment of Richard ballinger for secretary of the interior upset conservationists?

Richard Ballinger's appointment as Secretary of the Interior in 1909 upset conservationists primarily due to his pro-business stance and perceived indifference toward conservation efforts. Ballinger was seen as favoring the interests of private corporations and land developers over the protection of public lands, which alarmed those advocating for environmental preservation. His actions, such as facilitating the transfer of valuable public lands to private interests, further fueled concerns among conservationists who feared a rollback of the progressive conservation policies established by his predecessor, Gifford Pinchot. This clash between conservation and commercial interests ultimately led to significant tensions within the Progressive movement.