2023 Montana's independent nonprofit news source. Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team (MSGOT) March 24, 2021: 4:00 p.m Polly enjoyed fishing, so much so, that she and Oakley spent their honeymoon ice fishing. Martha Williams Profiles | Facebook The woman's lawyer said her client was not politically motivated, but instead wanted to"ruin" an ex-boyfriend's evening. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont. No name calling. Early in 2017, she was picked by Montanas then-Governor Steve Bullock to lead FWP as its director. Were thinking about access across the board and how to we allow people to feel that they belong in the outdoors on our public lands and on our wildlife refuges. Those prohibitions, however, were effectively copied from the states game animal regulations. Republican lawmakers supported the bill, saying it will help unwind a recent court decision over a gas plant under construction. Were always respecting private property rights, recognizing tribal sovereignty, and I think America the Beautiful amplifies these efforts and its how we can get work done to conserve this countrys land and waters. But they want to know that theyre there. As a Montanan and nonpartisan wildlife expert, Martha has time and again demonstrated her ability to bring sportsmen and conservationists together to find collaborative, science-based solutions to tough problems., Steve Daines, Testers Republican counterpart in the U.S. Senate, also supported Williams nomination. She has also served as deputy solicitor of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). You are local, available where I look for news, and bring an alternative voice to the national news. Amanda Eggert studied print journalism at the University of Montana. In August, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the director for failing to meet the deadline in the wolf status review. She had once again joined a government agency facing a historic moment for wolves. MW: Were embracing access in an even larger contexthow do we support communities and allow people to feel like they belong on our wildlife refuges. By, as second-in-command at the U.S. In Montana, the solution Williams and her colleagues came up with was to categorize wolves as a species in need of management. The special designation had surfaced a year before, in a bill passed by the Montana Senate, which aimed to carve out a space for wolves once they were removed from the states endangered species list. 2023 Montana's independent nonprofit news source. Fisheries and Wildlife Service director for the Biden administration. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In 2018, Greg Sheehan stepped down as principal deputy director of FWS under President Donald Trump after then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke sought to have him take full leadership of the agency. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Interior received a large amount of funding from the federal infrastructure bill. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Montana politics, elections and legislative news, PublishedJanuary 21, 2021 at 4:12 AM MST. 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. And that social piecenot putting the onus just on the tolerance of communities that live with bears or wolves, but also those who dont like to see management-dependent speciesthey want to see species that arent reliant on state or federal management. By most accounts, grizzly bear populations have reached levels where they could be removed from federal protection. Thank you for supporting homegrown news. Williams frequently pointed to her experience at the state and federal levels, describing herself as a collaborator that recognized the need for support from states, tribes, nonprofits and private landowners to help conserve wildlife and maintain or improve habitat. Under pressure from environmental organizations to appoint a confirmed leader at FWS, President Joe Biden nominated Williams the following month. Each state estimates their own population and theres really none of those debates about border packs anymore, Ausband said. Thats a really important part of what we do. By that point, hunters and trappers had killed an unprecedented 19 of the parks wolves, many in and around the area where they now stood. Every little piece and investment allows people to build support for the refuges and to see that we care about investing in them, too, people and communities. Previously, Martha was an Assistant Professor of Law at the Blewett School of Law at the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana where she co-directed the university's Land Use and Natural Resources Clinic. On the other hand, it can seem punitive, especially when enforcing species protections. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Williams is both a hunter and an angler, and according to the Interior Department press release, she grew up on a farm. MacNulty is not the only one concerned. Donate during our spring fundraiser and support quality independent journalism. The kind of reporting we do is essential to democracy, but it is not easy, cheap, or profitable. As you do in all leadership, you show the way. As director of U.S. Montana had about 1,164 wolves a problem, Fielder argued, since the states wolf management plan referred to just 15 breeding pairs and 150 individual animals. of would-be replacements plays out. 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. Its the Services response to a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity that demands the prohibition of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on national wildlife refuges. That to me is very much what we have to think about when we think about wolves and bears and other predators: how do we make sure that recovery is continuous? But after speaking with the governors office, FWP, and others, he concluded it was not the right approach because it could lead to relisting. Instead, the senator introduced legislation to slash Montanas wolf population by giving hunters and trappers the authority to kill an unlimited number of wolves using bait, snares, and, on private land, authority to hunt at night with bright lights and night-vision goggles. The Intercept is an independent nonprofit news outlet. As the truck pulled away, a third guide recognized the driver as one of the areas most well-known proponents of aggressive wolf hunting north of Yellowstone. Having spent the majority of her career at the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and as a fellow Montana sportsman, Ms. Martha Williams knows that first hand, Daines wrote. Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS. What does the community want? The timing was critical. Williams was the director of FWP in Montana from 2017 to 2020. Williams created a review committee in 2018 to study whether the array of hunting and trapping regulations that FWP produced each year were in line with state law. Get your insiders look into what's happening in and around the Capitol. Both Daines and the center supported Williamss nomination, and both have vastly divergent expectations of the director now that shes in power. Steve Bullock, a post she held from 2017 to 2020. He added, The states were trying to come up with new, cheaper ways to keep monitoring their population but that wouldnt break the bank.. Martha Williams, the current principal deputy director at USFWS, also told the U.S. Senate committee she believes conservation is a shared responsibility. Democrats said it will weaken Montanans right to participate in government decisions. (FWS declined to make the director available for an interview or to comment on the appointment. The review followed dramatic regional changes in state hunting and trapping regulations. Together their demands reflect the contentious state of predator politics in the Northern Rockies. She was confirmed in a bipartisan 16-to-4 vote in February. This is not the first time Williams has served in the DOI. As part of the U.S. Geological Surveys Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program, which partners graduate students and state fish and wildlife agencies for research and technical assistance purposes, Ausband is both a federal employee and a faculty member at the University of Idaho. {{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. Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor Sean Janssen officiating. 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. In DOIs announcement highlighting Williams hire along with that of 20 other Interior Department employees Jennifer Van der Heide, President Joe Bidens chief of staff, said, We look forward to working with the dedicated civil servants at the Department to fulfill Interiors missions, advance President Bidens vision to honor our nation-to-nation relationship with Tribes and uphold the trust and treaty responsibilities to them, address the climate and nature crises, and build a clean energy future that creates good-paying jobs and powers our nation. On Wednesday, Gov. He was editor on the podcasts Shared State and Fireline, and producer on the podcasts Threshold and Richest Hill. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: 2022 Annual Report, President Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Provides $10 Million to Sagebrush Projects in the West, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Projects, Martha Williams Sworn In as Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. [4], From 1998 to 2011, Williams served as legal counsel to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Fish and Wildlife Service. Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. OL: Population numbers are generally the triggers for listing species as threatened or endangered, and population numbers are also the benchmark for recovery of those species. Seeking confirmation as director of the U.S. Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS.gov Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. . Revenue comes fr. Williams led the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks from 2017 to 2020 under Democratic Gov. At the same time, the results of Williamss review committee came to fruition in the form of the states 2021 wolf regulations. Love you guys!!. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) by . The review committee conducted its work over two years,reaching some of the critical conclusions on the technology that could be used to hunt wolves after Williams packed up for her return to Washington in 2021. She was the first woman to head the department. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The ranger told me that, following his kill, he became the subject of a National Park Service investigation in which he and other Yellowstone law enforcement officials were accused falsely, he said of sharing location information on collared wolves with hunters outside the park. Three state attorneys general, including Montanas, arguea Biden administration immigration policy set to go into effect later this month vio, The heritage muzzleloader hunt is the product of legislation earlier this year and the recent adoption of regulations by the Montana Fish and . We want to reduce wolf numbers.. Fish and Wildlife Service in a voice vote late yesterday evening. Its wonderful and well put it to use really quickly, but when you own and manage these places for the public and the public trust, its an ongoing responsibility and commitment. Used only in Montana and only for wolves, iPOM was the states answer to the problem of diminished resources, supplementing reduced radio-collar tracking with an increased reliance on hunters reporting wolf sightings in the wild. So if the underlying concern with the litigation is, are we committed to expanding opportunities on refuges? 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. Montana FWP director selected by Biden for USFWS leadership role Because the people who want to see a reduction in the wolf numbers are very serious about it, and theyre using these flawed outputs to support their positions.. Fish and Wildlife Service is a victory for Montana, our outdoor economy and heritage, and for every American that happens to care about our nations greatest natural treasures: our public lands and wildlife., Martha Williams confirmation to lead the U.S. But ultimately, Its all about not needing to list and about getting species to recovery. Martha Williams confirmed as USFWS director - KTVH And so here we stand.. At that time, Polly returned to her home state of Minnesota, and it was there that she met and began dating Oakley Williams. Greg Gianforte announced on Wednesday his pick for state health department director.Gianforte tapped Adam Meier to lead the, Montana Public Radio | Montana Free Press is rooted in Montana, and its thanks to readers like you who love our state that our nonprofit newsroom continues to grow. On March 8, 2022, Williams was sworn in as the 23rd Director of the U.S. During her time with FWP, which also included a legal career with the agency from 1998 to 2011, she worked on controversial issues that are resurfacing in her new post, including wolf, bison and grizzly management. 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. She was appointed to the FWP post in 2017. Photo: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images. OL: Thats a good topic to end on: building trust and partnerships. Sign up for theCapitolizednewsletter and stay up-to-date on the latest legislative developments during the session. Williams is President Joe Bidens nominee for the directors post. When I visited Yellowstone in late May, word of the incident had spread among the parks research and touring community. Thank you for supporting homegrown news. The problem is that they dont know if the hunters are sightingresident packs or nonresident packs, said MacNulty, the Utah State University researcher. Republican Sen. Steve Daines also wrote a letter of support, saying he believes Williams will bring a pragmatic and balanced approach to USFWS. I have always been fascinated by what recovery means, and what does it mean for the FWS to ensure that these species stay recovered. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The Federal Indian Child Welfare Act is at risk. We are ready to get to work on behalf of the American people.. The federal agency manages wildlife and habitat across the country and is in charge of more than 150 million acres of land in the National Wildlife Refuge System. In many states, predators, like coyotes, can be killed anytime, anywhere without a license or a defined season. Martha Williams, the current principal deputy director at USFWS, also told the U.S. Senate committee she believes conservation is a shared responsibility. At its core, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a significant investment in the nations infrastructure and economic competitiveness. Montana abortion providers on Friday sued the state health department in an attempt to block a new rule adopted by the Gianforte administrations health department that restricts how the state will pay for abortions through its Medicaid program. When she was named director of FWP, she highlighted her background working in several different agency divisions: law enforcement, parks management, wildlife conservation and public education. NPS declined to comment on the claims, citing an ongoing investigation. Share your thoughts and memories of Paulette, Share your thoughts and memories with family and friends of Paulette. U.S. Who would hold party elites accountable to the values they proclaim to have? Paulette M. "Pidge" Williams, 78, passed away due to natural causes at Northern Montana Hospital on Sunday, May 16, 2021. And then how can we support these efforts? In 2009, the Obama administration announced the delisting of wolves in Montana and Idaho, but not Wyoming, which continually failed to come up with a plan that didnt involve treating the animals as predators that could be shot on sight. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Williams will become the second major Montana appointee to work under U.S. What does the community need? OL: While were on the topic of recovery and management of predators, lets talk about wolves, which were removed from federal protection but which have been aggressively managed under state authority, to the degree that some have petitioned that Western wolves be returned to federal protection. During the Obama Administration, Williams served as Deputy Solicitor Parks and Wildlife at the Department of the Interior for two years, providing counsel to the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service on issues arising in parks and recreation, fish and wildlife, environmental protection, natural resources assessment and restoration, and land and water conservation law. Steve Bullock, according to a . Can you talk through ways of easing that conflict? Prior to becoming a full-time journalist, Amanda spent four years working with the Forest Service as a wildland firefighter. For the U.S. No shouting. MW: Ive thought about this a lot. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., pressed Williams on whether grizzly bears should be delisted around Yellowstone National Park. Get MTFP's in-depth, independent reporting sent to your inbox every weekday morning. Wolves learned to avoid the traps researchers used and, with the legalized hunting, the breakup of packs became increasingly common. White House Announces Nomination of Martha Williams as Director of the Williams is President Joe Biden's. But how do we get over that worry? With delisting, Montana and Idaho entered a five-year period of federal supervision to ensure the states were complying with the Endangered Species Act. of would-be replacements plays out. 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. She then spent two years as a deputy solicitor for the Interior . Links also do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. The original idea was that wolves would have a higher degree of protection until they were recovered, at which point they would be reclassified as a furbearer or game animal. Time will tell if Williams, another veteran of the Wests wolf wars, agrees. Scott Creel, a large carnivore population ecologist with Montana State University, has also found problems in the states model, describing considerable doubt about the accuracy of population estimates from the iPOM in a critique published last year. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Following the 2009 delisting, FWP issued regulations each year explaining to hunters and trappers what they could and could not do in pursuit of wolves. 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 cant take wolf recovery for granted. In Decision to List Wolves as Endangered, Martha Williams Confronts Past Martha Williams in Montana - Spokeo It was like a slow decay, Ausband said. Martha Williams is an American attorney and government official who is the current director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. After her graduation from beauty school, she moved to Havre, MT, to be near her sisters. Williams swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place in the coming weeks. I can understand theres worry about it. The former Montana FWP director takes a high-profile post with U.S. With a new Montana wolf hunting season underway and park researchers studying the unprecedented levels of human-caused mortality, the deadline for the federal governments review has now passed, and environmental groups have filed suitdemanding that Williams take action. So what this bill does is it gives us some more tools to manage wolves, and were not talking about necessarily ethical management of them. Polly was born on December 19, 1942, in Bagley, MN, to Olaf and Julia (Hanson) Amundson, the youngest of five girls. The Federal Indian Child Welfare Act is at risk. FWP, meanwhile, said its Helena-based special investigations unit was conducting a separate investigation into the wolfs killing. It started with a real effort on urban wildlife refuges, but what were learning is applicable across the board, including in rural communities. A long-held secret. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced $10 million in fiscal year 2023 funds from President Bidens Bipartisan Infrastructure Lawto support over 50 projects in western states to restore and conserve strategic areas within thesagebrushecosystem. Former Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Martha Williams was appointedon Wednesday as second-in-command at the U.S. OL: Id like to pivot to a topic thats been top of mind in the hunting and shooting community. Sign up for theCapitolizednewsletter and stay up-to-date on the latest legislative developments during the session. and last updated 12:22 PM, Mar 09, 2022. Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho under the law in 1995, after a government extermination campaign led to their near-total extirpation decades before. Montana abortion providers on Friday sued the state health department in an attempt to block a new rule adopted by the Gianforte administrations health department that restricts how the state will pay for abortions through its Medicaid program. Williams was an early pick to serve in the Biden administration, working for more than a year as principal deputy director of the USFWS before her appointment as director was confirmed in February. Joining is simple and doesnt need to cost a lot: You can become a sustaining member for as little as $3 or $5 a month. Instead of bestowing protections, the designation made the animals vulnerable to a tactic used for the culling of feral hogs. Martha Williams is director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. A Maryland native and graduate of the University of Virginia, Williams received her law degree from the University of Montana and then went to work as an attorney for Montana FWP. For nearly a year, Parsons, along with Bob Aland, a retired attorney and environmental activist, have been waging a two-man campaign to remove Williams from the position. Your support helps quality Montana journalism thrive! By signing up, I agree to receive emails from The Intercept and to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. In 2020, during Williamss final year as FWPs director, Montana began using a new system to estimate its wolf population: the integrated patch occupancy model iPOM, for short. Grizzlies have twice been delisted in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem only to be overturned in federal court due to issues with genetic connectivity and regulations at the state level. 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. Consider what the world of media would look like without The Intercept. Representing Montana and the state perspective, Williams chaired the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee and was a member of Joint Federal/State Task Force on Federal Assistance Policy. The Biden administration announced last Thursday that it is nominating former Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks director Martha Williams to become director of the U.S. Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month, Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR, Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information, The BNSF Railway Company Tuesday published a long-awaited habitat conservation plan intended to reduce grizzly bear mortalities in Northwest Montana.Eight, Wildlife advocates on Thursday asked a federal court to overturn a U.S. government decision that stripped Endangered Species Act protections for wolves, Republican Montana Gov. One of the easiest ways that anyone can support bird habitat conservation is by buying duck stamps. Martha Williams: Id say my perspective has broadened because my new role allows me to work alongside conservation and community leaders, not just the states, but tribes, NGOs, and other federal agencies.
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