Tester: Tidwell ‘the right guy’ to lead U.S. Forest Service

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement in response to news that Regional Forester Tom Tidwell, who currently leads Region One of the U.S. Forest Service from Missoula, will serve as the new Chief of the U.S. Forest Service:

“We need smart folks making decisions about America’s forests, and Tom is the right guy for the job.  I’m proud of Tom’s hard work and his commitment to Montana’s outdoor heritage.  Tom’s leadership, his years of experience and his knowledge of issues facing forest communities in the American West will benefit all our National Forests—and the folks who rely on them.”

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Tidwell’s appointment today.

Tester is a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees funding for the Forest Service.