Daines places support behind Williams’ nomination to head U.S. Fish and Wildlife

The former director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks won the support of Sen. Steve Daines this week in her nomination to head the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Martha Williams was nominated for the federal post last month, and her nomination is moving through committee toward potential confirmation.

Daines placed his support behind Williams this week in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

“Wildlife conservation is integral to Montanans’ way of life and outdoor economy,” Daines said in a statement. “I believe Montana and the country would be well-served with her at the helm of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”

Williams was appointed to head FWP by former Gov. Steve Bullock. She served as director from 2017-2020 and was the first woman to head the department.

Prior to heading FWP, she taught at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, working for a time as a solicitor at the Department of Interior. She also was a lawyer at FWP from 1998 to 2011.

Daines, who opposed the nomination of Montanan Tracy Stone Manning to head the Bureau of Land Management, urged Williams to rely upon “science” if named director of Fish and Wildlife.

“I’m hopeful that under her leadership, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to rely on data and science to ensure Montana can continue managing these species and resume primary management responsibility of the grizzly bear,” Daines continued.

https://missoulacurrent.com/government/2021/10/stone-manning-confirmed/