WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly four months after a Senate committee approved his nomination, it’s finally final for Brian Nesvik, who was confirmed Friday afternoon as the new chief of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
While it’s an end to the wait on his confirmation, it’s also just the beginning.
The 54-43 vote on the U.S. Senate floor ended a months-long wait caused by the blanket stalling of President Donald Trump’s nominees by Senate Democrats. Finally across the finish line, Nesvik now charts a new path in his career, wielding considerable influence over the nation’s wide variety of ecosystems.
But much of his new job will not be new to him. For one thing, his long career with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department — including its director from 2019-2024 — involved common interactions with the USFWS.
He also is hardly a stranger to the grizzly bear, an animal deeply intertwined with his new job.
He will likely play a key role in whether the Yellowstone-area grizzly is removed from endangered status under the Endangered Species Act, as Wyoming’s congressional delegation has long pushed for.
Nesvik has expressed support for delisting grizzlies, which spurred opposition to his confirmation by leading environmental groups.
USFWS has the power to add or remove plants and animals from the list.
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, also has a bill to remove the grizzly.
Plus, Hageman and U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, are jointly sponsoring broader legislation on theEndangered Species Act.
'Breath Of Fresh Air'
Two Democrats voted for Nesvik on Friday: U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Jacky Rosen of Nevada. No Republicans voted against him.
A few Republicans did not cast votes, which is common for members of both parties as scores of nominees go to the floor week after week.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which includes Lummis, approved his nomination April 9 on a 10-9 party-line vote.
“Brian Nesvik is a breath of fresh air who will excel in his new role leading the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” Lummis said in a statement after Friday’s vote by the full Senate.
“As demonstrated during the confirmation process, Brian brings a proven and impressive track record from Wyoming, where he effectively collaborated with federal, state, and local partners to achieve important conservation goals," Lummis said. "I was proud to support Brian and pleased that the Senate has confirmed him as the new director of the USFWS.”
No. 122
Laura Mengelkamp, a spokeswoman for U.S. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming, told Cowboy State Daily that Nesvik is Trump's 122nd nominee this term to be confirmed.
“Brian will play a critical role in conserving our natural resources and responsibly managing our nation’s wildlife,” Barrasso said in a statement after Friday’s vote. “He will take the reins at a time when politics — not science — has too often driven agency decisions. I look forward to working with Brian to restore science to conservation policies.”
Stephanie Kurose, deputy director of government affairs for the Center for Biological Diversity, took a different view in a Friday statement.
“Nesvik led one of the most anti-conservation wildlife agencies in the country,” her statement said. “He faced major national blowback in 2024 after his agency failed to take strong action against a man who captured a juvenile wolf by running her down with a snowmobile.
“Instead of upholding the Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission of protecting endangered species, he’s going to clear the way for their demise.”
Voice For The West
In March, shortly after Nesvik was nominated, Hageman told Cowboy State Daily: “I have appreciated working with Brian Nesvik for years on a variety of wildlife issues. He brings decades of experience and a deep understanding of what truly works at the local level.
“As one of the strongest advocates for delisting the grizzly bear, he’ll continue to be a voice for Wyoming and the West in Washington.”
Nesvik is a University of Wyoming graduate who held a series of roles in his long Wyoming Game and Fish career, including the top post, from which he retired in 2024. He also had a distinguished military career.
Gov. Mark Gordon also said he’s pleased with Nesvik’s confirmation.
“I am thrilled to congratulate my friend Brian Nesvik, who, months after clearing committee, is now confirmed as director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” Gordon said in a statement following Friday’s vote. “There simply has never been a more qualified director for the agency. His confirmation is an asset to the Trump administration, and he will serve as a strong advocate for western issues.
“His on-the-ground experience in Wyoming will lend essential oversight to the essential analysis of how federal policies apply to the day-to-day wildlife management within states. I am eager to continue working with Brian on Endangered Species Act reform, delisting of grizzly bears, and more.”
Sean Barry can be reached at sean@cowboystatedaily.com.
