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CONTACT
Aaron Weiss, Deputy Director
Center for Western Priorities
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
720-279-0019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 22, 2021


** Support for Stone-Manning at BLM solidifies despite political smear campaign
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DENVER—Support for President Biden’s nominee to run the Bureau of Land Management, Tracy Stone-Manning, solidified this week despite an ongoing political smear campaign helmed by Senator Steve Daines.

“There is a stunning gap between the picture Senator Daines is trying to paint and the reality of Tracy’s 30-year career working across the political spectrum,” said Jennifer Rokala, executive director at the Center for Western Priorities. “If Stone-Manning was the person Senator Daines claims she is, she would never garner support from so many corners. Whether it’s mining, forestry, or conservation leaders, anyone who has worked with Tracy will tell you she is among the smartest and most honest brokers in public service.”

This week, former BLM Montana State Director Mike Penfold said ([link removed]) that Stone-Manning is “the right leader at the right time for the BLM. She is passionate about public lands and has the experience to bring people together to find durable solutions.” He went on to ask Senator Daines to support Stone-Manning’s nomination, praising her “demonstrated ability to work constructively with all public land stakeholders.”

Wayne Boich, the CEO of the parent company that owns Montana’s Signal Peak coal mine, told Senators John Barrasso and Joe Manchin ([link removed]) that Stone-Manning “consistently had an open door and an open mind. She was fair, pragmatic, and never jumped to conclusions.” Boich added that “Most importantly, we always knew that she was guided by law and science.”

On National Public Radio, Chas Vincent, a logger and Montana state senator who chaired the energy committee at the state legislature and who oversaw her state senate confirmation said ([link removed]) Stone-Manning “knows how to take heat from both sides.” Vincent, a Republican, went on to say “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.”

Vincent’s praise was echoed by ranchers in Idaho who have worked with Stone-Manning, who said ([link removed]) “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.”

Alan Olson, director of the Montana Petroleum Association, told the Associated Press ([link removed]) that Stone-Manning was “left of center” but willing to listen to opposing views and not extreme in her politics.

Finally, American Forests noted ([link removed]) that Stone-Manning “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.”
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For more information, visit westernpriorities.org ([link removed]) . To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Sign up for Look West (/westernpriorities.org/lookwest) to get daily public lands and energy news sent to your inbox.

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The Center for Western Priorities is a conservation policy and advocacy organization focused on land and energy issues across the American West.

Center for Western Priorities ([link removed]) | 1999 Broadway Ste 520, Denver, CO 80202 | 303.974.7761

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