A Montanan is reportedly expected to be President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management. Several news outlets, including E&E News and the Associated Press, report the administration’s decision to nominate Missoula’s Tracy Stone-Manning to the post.
Stone-Manning is currently the National Wildlife Federation's associate vice president for public lands. She could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Stone-Manning was a former chief of staff for former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, and directed the Department of Environmental Quality during his administration. Stone-Manning also served as a senior aide to Montana's Democratic U.S Senator Jon Tester.
Tester endorsed her presumed nomination in a statement on Wednesday, describing her as "imminently qualified to take the helm at the Bureau of Land Management at such a critical time for the agency."
Stone-Manning has also won endorsements from several environmental groups, including the Center for Western Priorities and the Montana Wilderness Association.
Her nomination must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
A spokesperson for Montana’s Republican U.S. Senator Steve Daines says he’ll review the record of whoever is chosen for the role, and will listen to Montanans’ feedback.