President Joe Biden has tapped Martha Williams, former director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, as director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Williams will become the second woman from Montana to lead an agency at the Interior Department after Tracy Stone-Manning, who leads the Bureau of Land Management. Stone-Manning was a senior adviser at the National Wildlife Federation and previously worked as chief of staff for former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D).
Williams is currently serving as the deputy director for USFWS. She served as director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) from 2017 to 2020.
While at MFWP, Williams dealt with several, sometimes contentious, issues during her tenure. These included grizzly bear management and efforts to delist the species from the Endangered Species Act (ESA). She also dealt with bison issues and the efforts to reintroduce the population to Tribal and private lands. Williams tackled the spread of chronic wasting disease in the state by issuing special permits to help control the disease’s spread. She also negotiated $11.5 million to fight aquatic invasive species in Montana.
Before working at MFWP, Williams was an assistant professor at the Blewett School of Law at the University of Montana, where she co-directed the university’s Land Use and Natural Resources Clinic.
Williams previously worked at the Interior Department, serving as the agency’s deputy solicitor for parks and wildlife. She provided legal counsel to the National Park Service and USFWS from 2011 to 2013.
“Martha brings with her decades of experience, deep knowledge, and a passion for conservation, wildlife management, and natural resources stewardship,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a press release.
Haaland said she looks forward to working with Williams to “protect America’s most precious resources.”
Since January, Williams has led USFWS while the agency waited for a director to lead the department. During her tenure, USFWS has worked to unravel some of the policies instituted by the Trump administration. The reversals included the plan to “improve and strengthen implementation” of the ESA, delisting gray wolves, proposing to list two distinct populations of the lesser prairie-chicken as protected and revoking the Migratory Bird Treaty Act rule.
According to E&E News, Williams received an ethics waiver to work at the nonprofit Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, where she served as vice president. The nonprofit represents 24 states and Canadian provinces to “advance collaborative, proactive, science-based fish and wildlife conservation and management across the West.”
Reactions
Public Lands Council (PLC), in their Weekend Roundup newsletter, stated, “Given her previous experiences, PLC will remain vigilant in advocating for voluntary conservation incentives, multiple-use on federal lands, efficient ESA delistings, and other policy priorities. That said, we are pleased to see the administration making progress on filling this significant vacancy.”
PLC noted that at the annual meeting in September, Williams “expressed her commitment to an approach of conversation, not preservation,” and her desire to work with agriculture.
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership supported the nomination, stating Williams understands the role states play in fish and wildlife management.
Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said in a statement that Williams “will be a strong partner to the hunting and fishing community.”
“She recently oversaw the largest expansion of fishing and hunting on lands and waters managed by the (USFWS), which is a testament to her support for outdoor recreation opportunities. And as a hunter and angler herself, she understands the importance of hunting and fishing as wildlife management tools that also support our uniquely successful model of conservation funding in the U.S.”
Outdoor and recreation organizations also praised the appointment of Williams as a hunter and angler who understands the needs of recreation opportunities.
“A more knowledgeable, smart and dedicated leader for the USFWS would be hard to find,” said Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney in a statement. “Martha Williams has spent a career advancing responsive, science-based management of our natural resources and as an advocate for fish, wildlife and our outdoor traditions.”
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) said in a statement he was excited Williams has been nominated as director, as she has “spent her entire career standing up for our public lands and has proven herself to be a thoughtful, nonpartisan steward who works collaboratively with folks on the ground to make positive change.”
Environmental groups also praised Williams’ appointment. Tim Preso, managing attorney for Earthjustice’s Biodiversity Defense Program, stated Williams’ work at USFWS since January shows her “dedication to her role at Fish and Wildlife by bringing experience, transparency and sound leadership to the table. We also know that Martha cares deeply about our nation’s irreplaceable wildlife populations and the ecosystems they need to survive.”
Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement, “We’re hopeful that Martha Williams will be able to restore scientific integrity and reinvigorate the agency’s commitment to its core wildlife conservation mission.” — Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
