Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Donald Trump’s controversial nominee to oversee the country’s wildlife agency.
In a 54-43 vote, the Senate signed off on Brian Nesvik to run the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. His nomination had been advanced in a narrow, party-line vote in April, but had languished for months.
Nesvik’s nomination brought attention to a controversial resume regarding protecting imperiled species. During his tenure as head of Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department, the state’s elk herds saw significant rises in disease rates, and he oversaw the implementation of questionable policies that would drive grizzly bear and wolf populations to bare minimum numbers. He has also supported removing Endangered Species Act protections for grizzlies in previous testimony before Congress.
Recent weeks have seen increased attacks on the Endangered Species Act by Congressional Republicans. Multiple bills have sought to undercut the bedrock environmental law, hindering its ability to protect imperiled wildlife, and legislatively delisting certain species, like the grizzly bear. Among its other duties, the USFWS is responsible for enforcing the ESA in the United States.
In response, Bradley Williams, Sierra Club’s Deputy Legislative Director for Wildlife and Lands Protection, released the following statement:
“Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have put the ESA in their crosshairs, and Brian Nesvik is ready to take the shot. His tenure as head of Wyoming Game and Fish prioritized trophy hunts and weakened protections for imperiled species over scientifically sound wildlife management. One of the USFWS most important roles is upholding the Endangered Species Act, and given his experience, it’s not clear whether Nesvik will be able to fulfill that duty. Unfortunately, it appears that wildlife will pay the price.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.