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Ryan Devereaux[emailprotected]theintercept.com@rdevro. At its core, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a significant investment in the nations infrastructure and economic competitiveness. (The practice remained illegal under a federal statute, though FWPs regulations omitted that fact.). If you wish to give again during our spring fundraiser, know that your additional gift, be it one-time or recurring, makes a monumental impact in helping quality independent journalism thrive. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. But they want to know that theyre there. Greg Gianforte nominated the agencys new director Hank Worsech, a 17-year FWP employee who most recently served as license bureau chief. Whoops! Williams, who was teaching natural resources and wildlife law at the University of Montana before joining FWP, is the 24th director of the agency in its 116-year history. MW: Ive thought about this a lot. Steve Bullock and served as director from 2017-2020. Thats a total collective effort. Many questions focused on conservation issues unique to their respective states, from habitat restoration in Chesapeake Bay to water in California to the spread of invasive plants in Arizona. My interest is saving the agency from this now dark path, where the precedent has been set that you can put in a person without biological credentials in violation of the law., The issue has come up before. Generally, game animals, like elk or deer, can be hunted but not trapped, while furbearers, like otters or bobcats, can be trapped but not hunted. Without public notice, the prohibition against using radio telemetry equipment was also gone. She was the first woman to head the department. Williams swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place in the coming weeks. And how do we support all the partners it takes to have a species on the landscape that stays recovered. News apps are nice, but how many stories might you be missing? You are local, available where I look for news, and bring an alternative voice to the national news. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, the former director of Montanas state wildlife agency, She appeared Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Protests and arrests at Helena Capitol in support of Zooey Zephyr, Helena man dies in motorcycle crash in residential neighborhood, Townsend man dies a day after eating Dave's Sushi; cause of death not yet confirmed, 7 arrested at Capitol in protest as trans legislator again blocked on House floor, Downtown Helena's Alive at Five concert lineup set for 2023 season, Zephyr committees scuttled day after her ban from the House floor, Gianfortes son one of many lobbying governor against trans bills, Trans lawmaker Zooey Zephyr banned from House chamber after supporting protesters, UPDATE: House GOP leadership plans vote on 'disciplinary consequences' against Zephyr, 'Blood on your hands': Montana lawmaker's words not unusual, Helena commission considering citywide fee increases for services, 'Two more go up in its place': Posters supporting marginalized groups torn down at Carroll, saw Republicans calling for her nomination to be withdrawn, Montana trust land revenue tops $107 million, Drought effects linger as Montana heads into colder months, Montana ballot initiative at center of controversial FEC decision, New approach aims to offer holistic picture of Montana's snowpack, Montana's AG files suit over Biden immigration policy, Montana hunters prep for first traditional muzzleloader season, New Mexico woman enters plea deal over threat to trappers' association, Williams confirmed to lead US Fish and Wildlife Service, Biden addresses journalists detained abroad at Correspondents' Dinner, Sudan's rival forces vie for control, risking prolonged conflict, 5 killed in Texas shooting, sheriff expands search for suspect, Video: Rally in support of Missoula Rep. Zooey Zephyr. Lucky for us at USFWS, it fits squarely within our wheelhouse in delivering conservation. Given her her legal experience and background in state-level resource management, and the Services wide-ranging authority and influence over Americas wildlife, habitats, and our hunting and fishing culture, Outdoor Life wanted to hear how Williams views both her new job and the priorities of the agency. At a court hearing in February, Hawkaluk described how Williamss review committee concluded that wolves were not in fact protected from aerial hunting under state law. A long-held secret. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. At the center of that fight is the highly anticipated conclusion of Williamss review. She served on the committee that Williams convened to review regulations. Greg Gianforte announced on Wednesday his pick for state health department director.Gianforte tapped Adam Meier to lead the, Montana Public Radio | In the portion of the state that abuts Yellowstone Park where longstanding quotas on wolf kills were eliminated entirely the death toll of 19 wolves marked a 342 percent increase from the previous decades annual average of four. Montana NRCS is one of the leaders in the nation in easement allocations every year, no doubt in large part due to the partners and land trust groups in . Ecotourism guides werent the only ones concerned about the issue. The new tool should aid in snowpack and drought monitoring. Republican lawmakers supported the bill, saying it will help unwind a recent court decision over a gas plant under construction. Thats what America the Beautiful is all about. Under the terms laid out by FWS, wolves in the Northern Rockies Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming would be considered recovered once there were 30 breeding pairs raising at least two pups each for three consecutive years. By, as second-in-command at the U.S. And so here we stand.. Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS.gov Across a decade and half of service, Williams earned respect on both sides of the wolf wars and helped craft a legal framework for protecting the states most political animal. Tour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges. At the same time, the results of Williamss review committee came to fruition in the form of the states 2021 wolf regulations. Each state estimates their own population and theres really none of those debates about border packs anymore, Ausband said. She was the first woman to serve in that role, where she managed nearly 700 full-time-equivalent employees and oversaw the administration of more than 50 state parks. Absolutely. Democratic Sen. Jon Tester wrote in a letter to the committee that Williams would bring a wealth of real-world experience and leadership to the directors post. In fiscal year 2021 ending in June, state trust lands produced $107.3 million, up from $92.1 million in the last fiscal year. On Wednesday, shortly after Joe Biden was inaugurated as President of the United States, the Department of the Interior announced that Martha Williams would be the Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. Polly and Robert divorced in 1984, and in 1991, she sold the salon and moved to Helena, where she worked for the State of Montana as the salon inspector until her retirement in 1999, which was due to medical issues. No name calling. Martha Williams Profiles | Facebook USFWS also administers the Endangered Species Act and manages and distributes more than $1 billion to states, tribes and territories for fish and wildlife conservation. Thats no longer the case. By most accounts, grizzly bear populations have reached levels where they could be removed from federal protection. Among the prohibitions were the use of aircraft and radio telemetry equipment the kind of gear biologists use to find and monitor wildlife. William's replacement within Montana Gov. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Montana news with context and care. She also served as legal counsel to FWP from 1998 to 2011, when wolf reintroduction was a hot-button issue for the agency. Steve Bullock, according to a . The review followed dramatic regional changes in state hunting and trapping regulations. Fisheries and Wildlife Service director for the Biden administration. Q&A with UFSWS Director Martha Williams | Outdoor Life Zinkes effort failed due to Sheehans lack of ascience degree. Montana's independent nonprofit news source. Nalivkas Pizza was a favorite treat, and she also loved lefse and Diet Coke. Last years changes in wolf hunting and trapping regulations were felt particularly hard in Yellowstone National Park, which weathered its deadliest season in living memory. While there, she focused on natural resources law, public land and resources law and wildlife law. 2023 Montana's independent nonprofit news source. Under pressure from environmental organizations to appoint a confirmed leader at FWS, President Joe Biden nominated Williams the following month. And I talk about the America the Beautiful a lot because its such a priority for this administration. Just award-winning local journalism for the people, by the people. It just got harder to keep collars out, Ausband said. Despite the many opportunities already offered under the law, Republican lawmakers and a subset of hunters and trappers had long argued that Montanas regulations did not go far enough. The Federal Indian Child Welfare Act is at risk. Your contribution supports quality independent journalism no matter the season. Committee advances Williams' nomination to head U.S. Fish and Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Service. The first wolf arrives at Yellowstone National Park in a pen carried by, from left, Mike Phillips, Yellowstone Wolf Project leader; Jim Evanoff, Yellowstone environmental protection specialist; Molly Beattie, U.S. Williams has received the support of both of Montanas senators. | It recognizes the need to build on existing tools, like Partners for Fish and Wildlife and Sentinel Landscapes, programs that are all about voluntary efforts, locally led efforts where we add value and provide technical assistance to work happening within local communities. We secured a 30-minute phone interview with her, which has been edited below for brevity and clarity. OL: Thats a good topic to end on: building trust and partnerships. The couple married in 2003, and they remained there until late 2017, when he passed away. Book Description A scandalous past. The Federal Indian Child Welfare Act is at risk. Daines support for Williams comes after his vehement opposition to another Montana nominee, Bureau of Land Management Director Tracy Stone-Manning. When I visited Yellowstone in late May, word of the incident had spread among the parks research and touring community. The specific concern is that prohibitions like that run counter to the Services ambition to expand hunting and fishing opportunities on its properties. The Montana Wildlife Federation, a Helena-based conservation organization, cheered the announcement. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources. It was like a slow decay, Ausband said. 2023 Montana's independent nonprofit news source. Martha Williams Director Address U.S Fish and Wildlife Service 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240 United States (800) 344-9453 About Martha Williams Growing up on a farm in Maryland, Martha Williams gained an appreciation for open lands, waters, wildlife, and people. Steve Bullock. Basically, we have four times as many wolves in Montana as the wolf management plan calls for, he said. . He had neither the uniform nor the vehicle of a government official. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. What does the community need? Consider making an additional one-time gift during our spring fundraiser. Just $1 per month , Our hunting and conservation editor sits down with the new head of the USFWS to try to get some answers, By Paulette Martha Williams of Havre, Montana - Holland & Bonine We have this infusion of belief in what we do, whether its through the infrastructure bill or the Great American Outdoors Act. Im trying to save my old agency, for crying out loud, he said. Can you talk through ways of easing that conflict? Fish and Wildlife Service. For Hawkaluk, the trajectory of wolves within Montanas bureaucracy reflects the contentious politics that surrounds the animals. There she oversaw management of nearly 700 employees and more than 50 state parks. After leaving the Forest Service in 2014, Amanda worked for Outside magazine as an editorial fellow before joining Outlaw Partners staff to lead coverage for Explore Big Sky newspaper and contribute writing and editing to Explore Yellowstone and Mountain Outlaw magazines. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency that oversees Americas national wildlife refuges and hatcheries, enforces the Endangered Species Act, and collects and distributes millions of dollars annually in taxes paid by buyers of guns, ammunition, and fishing tackle. Last year, her agency announced a review to determine whether wolves in the Northern Rockies should regain federal protection under the landmark statute after Montana and Idaho launched the most aggressive wolf hunts in recent history. She was confirmed in a bipartisan 16-to-4 vote in February. On the one hand, the Service provides access, essential fish and wildlife management and funding, and facilitates things like the federal duck stamp.