John Boozman Asks Trump’s FWS Nom About Commitment To ‘Safeguard’ Wetlands And Duck Populations

2 days ago

During Wednesday’s Senate Environment and Public Works Committee nomination hearing, Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) questioned Brian Nesvik, Trump's nominee to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

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Transcript

00:00Thank you. I'm going to call on Senator Bozeman and then I'm going to go make my vote and come

00:04back. Senator Bozeman, you're up next. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Nesvick, the 2025 State

00:12of the Birds report highlighted long-term trends in bird populations and while many species are

00:19struggling, ducks have remained stable, largely due to duck hunters' commitment to wetland and

00:24waterfowl conservation. Arkansas, home to some of the most important duck habitat in the country,

00:32has benefited directly from that and the annual Fish and Wildlife Service

00:37survey is used to manage seasons in Arkansas and across the Mississippi

00:41Flyway. However, those surveys are at risk due to declining support and funding. As Director,

00:48how will you ensure the Migratory Bird Program maintains the resources needed to support

00:54Arkansas and other states, safeguard the wetlands they've invested so much to preserve?

01:01Thank you for that question, Senator. So certainly, you know, there's requirements, there's legal

01:06requirements under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and under the way that the service manages flyways

01:11for the service to, is responsible, has a major leading role in managing migratory waterfowl.

01:18I, just for the record, I'm a big supporter of ducks. You can look at the lining of my jacket

01:23and it's got mallard ducks in it. I think that there's a lot of opportunity right now to evaluate

01:30the priorities for the service and where resources are allocated, especially in resource-constrained

01:35environments, but I think those are some of the things, the things that you identified are part

01:39of the core mission, and so it certainly would be something I'm very interested in learning more

01:45about with you and your staff and others, but I do believe it's very important.

01:50Thank you. Along with that, the National Wildlife Refuge System is uniquely an American success story.

01:59Public lands managed for wildlife conservation, outdoor recreation, include hunting and fishing.

02:04However, over time, the system has suffered due to staffing shortages, failing infrastructure,

02:10and inadequate funding, which collectively hinder habitat management and the quality of recreational

02:17opportunities. As director, what steps will you take to begin rebuilding the refuge system

02:23so these critical assets are fully optimized for both wildlife and the American people?

02:29Well, Senator, first I'll just tell you right up front, I completely agree that the National Wildlife

02:35Refuge System is a jewel for our country. It's in my top five priority list of things that I'm

02:41very interested in looking at if I'm lucky enough to be confirmed. I will tell you that I think that

02:47the refuge system provides an opportunity for the service to interact with the American public,

02:52and it also provides a venue for folks to experience the outdoors, to experience wildlife.

02:58Wildlife refuges provide a vast amount of public recreation and also, as they were originally

03:06intended when the first refuge was created in Florida in, I believe, 1905 by Teddy Roosevelt,

03:11they're there to provide sanctuaries and places for wildlife to thrive. And so I strongly believe

03:18that the wildlife refuge system is very important, and it's something that's going to have my focus.

03:23Very good. Ms. Kramer, Arkansas faces a range of water challenges from agriculture needs in

03:31the delta to drinking water infrastructure in our rural communities. One size fits all federal

03:38water policy simply doesn't work in a state with such diverse needs. Can you commit to ensuring

03:45the EPA works collaboratively with Arkansas agencies, cities, and communities respecting

03:50their role as co-regulators and engaging meaningfully in the policy-making process?

03:58Absolutely, Senator. Very good. How will you ensure that Arkansas continues to benefit

04:04from the strong, flexible water financing tools like the state revolving fund so that local

04:12decision makers can invest in solutions that work for their specific needs? Thank you for the

04:18question, Senator. One of the priorities that I would have if I'm honored to fill this role

04:25would be to take a look at those financing programs, such as the state revolving funds,

04:31to look for opportunities where EPA can cut red tape that's been established across the years.

04:37There are some fundamental principles that have been set in statute by all of you. We would want

04:43to be sure that we are undertaking those and that the implementation is going properly. However,

04:50allowing for additional flexibilities where we can in things like the intended use plan

04:54as states submit them would be something that I would be interested in exploring.

05:00Very good. Thank you. Thank all of you for your willingness to serve.

05:04Thank you, Senator Bozeman.

John Boozman Asks Trump’s FWS Nom About Commitment To ‘Safeguard’ Wetlands And Duck Populations

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