What National Wildlife Federation and 47 state affiliates say: “Tracy Stone-Manning has dedicated her career to the responsible conservation of America’s public lands… [she] understands not only the challenges facing our public lands, but also the central role these lands play in the lives and livelihoods of hardworking Americans. As a hunter, she understands how policy decisions around energy development, outdoor recreation, and public access affect wildlife and the families that rely upon them. For these reasons alone, she is the right leader to rebuild the agency and restore the public’s trust in this crucial lands-management agency.”
What 104 conservation groups say: “As a Westerner, an avid outdoorswoman, and a consensus builder, Stone-Manning has spent her career advocating for the wise stewardship of our nation’s public lands and waters. … [she] has also shown that she has the temperament and management skills necessary to bring together diverse groups of stakeholders in pursuit of collaborative policy solutions…. Stone-Manning is uniquely qualified to ensure that a balanced approach—informed by science and involving robust public participation—will guide management decisions.”
What Boich Industries, the co-owner of Signal Peak, an underground coal mine in Montana, says: “Tracy consistently had an open door and an open mind. She was fair, pragmatic and never jumped to conclusions.… Most importantly, we always knew she was guided by law and science… She will serve the Bureau and the country well.”
What American Forests says: “BLM’s forests demand a leader ready to roll up her sleeves and listen to the spectrum of stakeholders who care deeply about our public land resources. With a track record of collaboration, Ms. Stone-Manning is that person. Ms. Stone-Manning brings insights and sensitivity to the unique challenges—and opportunities—faced by our nation’s forest-dependent and adjacent communities. She has problem-solved for natural resource solutions for rural America and has championed the role our rural and small towns play in the fabric of vibrant communities.”
What Golden Sunlight mine said when she was at DEQ: “We’re pleased with the work that the DEQ did,” general manager Dan Banghart told The Montana Standard Tuesday. “We’re pleased we were able to get this done in a timely manner.”
What ranchers in Idaho who worked with her say: “she’s willing to work with producers and conservationists to bring about innovative, cooperative solutions.… As stakeholders that are vested in the responsible management of public lands, our livelihoods depend on strong leadership within the BLM, which Stone-Manning clearly demonstrates.”
What the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes say: “Ms. Stone-Manning has long demonstrated her abilities in a number of capacities here in Montana, both within government and non-profit sectors. As importantly, she has also proven her ability to deliver successful outcomes regarding resource management—many of which were dependent on broad coalition-building and bipartisan support…, I am confident that under Ms. Stone-Manning’s leadership, the BLM will be a constructive partner for tribes and others.”
What ten members of the Montana American Indian Caucus of the state legislature: “Ms. Stone-Manning is a no-nonsense administrator who gets work done and ensures that everyone has a say in the process and outcome.… She is a Westerner who is serious about her work, and serious about working together with all parties… As a caucus, we have worked with Ms. Stone-Manning, and know that she will represent our interests—and all Americans’ interests—at BLM and in the U.S. Department of the Interior. We are proud to support our fellow Montanan.”
What eleven groups, spanning from Outdoor Industry Association to the Wild Turkey Federation, says via the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable: “On behalf of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), we would like to express our strong support for the nomination of Tracy Stone-Manning to be the next Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). … As senior advisor for conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation, Ms. Stone-Manning has extensive knowledge of the conservation issues facing our nation and the crucial role outdoor recreation plays in maintaining our public lands.”
On National Public Radio, a reporter talked to Chas Vincent, logger and the Montana State Senator who chaired the energy committee at the Montana State legislature and who oversaw her state senate confirmation: “‘She knows how to take heat from both sides – is something that, I think, is a good takeaway from her experience in Montana.’ … Vincent, the Republican, says [the Earth First! Incident] came up back in Montana state politics, too. But he says she quickly proved to be a realist not idealist. ‘Where I think she will excel is her ability and her experience in collaboration and listening to both sides of an issue and being able to come up with a solution that might not make everybody happy, but it will suffice.’”
What 35 sportsmen and women organizations say in an American Wildlife Conservation Partners letter: “Ms. Stone-Manning is a Montanan, avid hunter, and outdoorswoman that has dedicated her career to public service, and collaborative conservation…. Ms. Stone-Manning’s extensive experiences working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders across the West, and her deep understanding of the myriad land management challenges before the agency, make her uniquely qualified to lead the BLM. Her leadership style ensures that all voices will be heard, as she carries out the BLM’s multiple use mission.”
What the Missoula County Commissioners say: “There could hardly be a more qualified person to lead this important agency than President Biden’s nominee for Bureau of Land Management Director, fellow Missoulian Tracy Stone-Manning. Tracy has impressed many of us during her successful career advocating for the sensible stewardship of our nation’s public lands and waters. … In all of her roles, she’s demonstrated that she has the quintessential qualities of a great leader. We know she has what it takes to successfully lead the Bureau of Land Management.”
What Vet Voice Foundation, an advocacy group for military veterans, says: “Tracy Stone-Manning is a public lands champion and therefore our ideal candidate to lead the Bureau of Land Management. Stone-Manning will lead through listening—to recreationists, hunters, anglers, business owners, tribal communities, and, yes, veterans and military families. At Stone-Manning’s Bureau of Land Management, all stakeholders will have a seat at the table and all will play a part in finding new, collaborative policy solutions that will ensure the preservation of our public lands and waterways for generations to come.”
What Governor Steve Bullock, her former boss, says: “I have a great deal of admiration and respect for Tracy Stone-Manning.… She is a leader that listens to the people around her, as well as the interests that are impacted by the action and inaction of government. She is direct, forthright, and fair. Our nation needs servant-leaders, and Tracy certainly fits that bill.”
What Senator Jon Tester, her former boss, says: “Tracy Stone-Manning is a tireless public lands champion with a lifetime of experience advocating for the spaces that drive Montana’s economy and make our state the Last Best Place. She understands the complex issues facing the Bureau and will bring some Montana commonsense to an agency that is in dire need of it. Her nomination is great news for Montana, and for all Americans who value our public lands and the thousands of good-paying jobs that depend on their responsible stewardship.”
