Wyoming\u2019s U.S. senators say they\u2019re tired of waiting for Wyomingite Brian Nesvik to be confirmed as the next chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which could likely seal a long-awaited delisting of grizzly bears in the Lower 48.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nesvik\u2019s seemingly certain appointment as head of Fish and Wildlife (FWS) comes in tandem with Wyoming U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman\u2019s\u00a0push to delist grizzlies<\/a> through an act of Congress.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nesvik, the former director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, is one of more than 130 Trump nominees waiting for confirmation by the Senate.<\/p>\n During his tenure leading Wyoming Game and Fish, Nesvik openly advocated for grizzlies to be delisted from federal protection and managed by Game and Fish and other state agencies.\u00a0<\/p>\n His successor,\u00a0Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce, also hasn\u2019t been bashful about advocating for grizzly delisting.\u00a0<\/p>\n In February, she told Wyoming state legislators that\u00a0\u201cthe stars are aligned\u201d<\/a>\u00a0for grizzlies to be delisted, and for it to stick this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n With the two-pronged approach of Nesvik\u00a0likely\u00a0taking the lead at FWS and Hageman\u2019s bill, her prediction could soon come true.\u00a0<\/p>\n Senators: Enough With The Delays<\/strong><\/p>\n Trump has urged the Senate to skip at least some of its scheduled August recess to get\u00a0through\u00a0a long list of Trump nominees\u00a0who haven\u2019t been confirmed, including Nesvik.<\/p>\n Wyoming\u2019s Republican Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis are fine with that.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Senate continues to get President Trump\u2019s nominees in place,\u201d\u00a0Barrasso stated in an email to Cowboy State Daily. \u201cWe\u2019ve confirmed more than 100 already, so we\u2019re very fast-paced compared to President Trump\u2019s first term.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Democrats are filibustering every one of these nominees. Many of these positions in the past have always gone by voice vote or unanimous consent, but Democrats are obstructing the process.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to quit stalling,\u00a0Barrasso said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe president wants these people in place. I want them in place,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that may have an impact on the schedule. Senator Lummis and I will continue to fight to get these important nominees across the finish line.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis includes Wyoming\u2019s Brian Nesvik, who we hope to soon confirm as the next Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.\u201d<\/p>\n Lummis is also fed up with delays, Joe Jackson, a spokesman for her office, told Cowboy State Daily. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSenator Lummis yesterday\u00a0publicly called\u00a0for the Senate to stay in session in August to vote on these nominations and deliver on the Trump agenda,\u201d Jackson wrote in an email.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cShe went on\u00a0Laura Ingraham’s Fox show\u00a0last night to echo that message,\u201d Jackson added. \u201cPresident Trump called Senator Lummis after the Fox interview to say that he had watched it and to thank her for speaking out on getting these nominees confirmed.\u201d<\/p>\n The list of Trump\u2019s nominees is long, but Nesvik is one of Lummis\u2019 top priorities.<\/p>\n \u201cBrian Nesvik’s nomination is one of the 157 nominations that are currently awaiting floor time and who Senator Lummis wants to see confirmed sooner rather than later,\u201d Jackson stated.<\/p>\n Which Is Faster?<\/strong><\/p>\n Of the two possible scenarios\u00a0\u2014\u00a0delisting happening administratively through FWS or by Hageman\u2019s bill becoming law\u00a0\u2014\u00a0the\u00a0latter\u00a0would\u00a0make delisting permanent and not subject to changing as administrations turn over.\u00a0<\/p>\n Even without Nesvik in charge, FWS\u00a0is apparently leaning toward delisting grizzlies.\u00a0<\/p>\n