WASHINGTON — Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne moved closer to becoming Interior secretary Wednesday when the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved his nomination.

Kempthorne still awaits a full Senate vote before taking charge of the Interior Department. A vote is expected by the end of the month.

Kempthorne testified before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee last week where members, largely made up of those from the West, reminded him of everything from water rights, payment in lieu of taxes, Indian issues, to again opening the Statue of Liberty to tourists.

"One of the things that I pledged to the president is that, if confirmed, I would reach out to constituent groups, to seek bipartisan support, to find common ground and to build consensus," Kempthorne said.

Environmental groups have criticized the Bush administration for its strong desire to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and have said Kempthorne will not change the White House's plan.

"All I can pledge is that, if confirmed, I will do my best," Kempthorne said. "This nation, its people and natural beauty are well worth all of our collective efforts to preserve and protect."

If confirmed, Kempthorne would be in charge of the country's public land holdings, wildlife protection efforts and a host of other responsibilities important to the West — where a majority of government-owned land is located.

Bush nominated the Idaho governor, who is a former U.S. senator for the state, shortly after former Interior Secretary Gale Norton resigned in March.

"The many challenges facing the Interior Department and its agencies demand that the Senate act swiftly to confirm a successor to Secretary Gale Norton," said Committee Chairman Pete Domenici, R-N.M. "This department plays a central role in managing many issues critical to the country, including much of our energy production and all of our natural resources. Interior needs a new leader immediately."

When Bush nominated Kempthorne in March, Utah reaction was varied. Republican leaders, a cattlemen's association, a rural county commissioner and a four-wheel drive advocacy group endorsed him, while environmentalists were either neutral or critical.

Brent Tanner, executive vice president of the Utah Cattlemen's Association, based in Salt Lake City, said the organization feels strongly that Kempthorne is "someone who is familiar with those lands."

But Merritt Frey, executive director of the Utah Rivers Council, said the nomination continues the Bush administration's "focus on short-term exploitation of rivers, rather than long-solutions to our problems."

Members of Utah's congressional delegation said the Idaho governor understands issues facing Western communities affected by public lands, including the controversial Private Fuel Storage nuclear waste storage site proposed for Tooele County.