US EditionFormer wildlife boss Nesvik sails through hearing to lead Fish and Wildlife Service
- In 2023, Brian Nesvik, former director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Trump administration nominee, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works in Washington, D.C., seeking to become the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency with 8,000 employees overseeing nearly 860 million acres of wildlife refuge.
- Nesvik's nomination comes amidst concerns about the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, which has reportedly caused disarray within the agency, including staff cuts impacting black-footed ferret recovery, the Saratoga fish hatchery, and potentially the tribal-focused Lander Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office.
- Nesvik, described as Wyoming's real-life Joe Pickett, referencing the C.J. Box book series about a game warden, emphasized his on-the-ground skills and experience, including putting tire chains on a 4-wheel-drive pickup in a snowstorm, classifying deer from a helicopter, and patrolling remote areas on horseback.
- During the hearing, Nesvik expressed support for simplifying regulations, accelerating permitting with technology, and relying more on education and voluntary compliance, aligning with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's vision that innovation outperforms regulation, while Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan criticized the Biden administration's environmental policies, alleging that 70 executive orders harmed Alaskans.
- While Nesvik garnered support from Wyoming's delegation, including praise from Lummis, Barrasso, and Gordon, who highlighted his dedication to wildlife, groups like the Sierra Club and Wyoming Wildlife Advocates voiced opposition, citing concerns about his past actions regarding federal protections for wildlife, the Endangered Species Act, and prioritizing industry interests over conservation, with some fearing a 'war on wildlife' if confirmed.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Gillette News Record
Wyoming Tribune EagleFormer wildlife boss Nesvik sails through hearing to lead Fish and Wildlife Service
JACKSON — Former Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Brian Nesvik’s confirmation hearing for leadership of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service went off Wednesday without a hitch.
Nesvik Could Be Next U.S. FWS Director - Rogue River Press
The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a confirmation hearing March 26 for Brian Nesvik, who has been nominated to serve as the next director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Last week, the Club submitted a letter to the leadership of the committee in support of Nesvik. He’s a B&C Professional Club member with nearly three decades of experience in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, including serving as its director …
Wyoming’s Nesvik touts ‘America first,’ deregulation during his congressional hearing
WASHINGTON—Making a case that he’s the right man to lead the federal agency that manages the nation’s wildlife, Brian Nesvik declared a childhood love for the furred, feathered and finned among us, and the wild habitats they depend upon.
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