Montana’s Tom Tidwell Appointed Forest Service Chief

From the Great Falls Tribune:

_Tom Tidwell of Montana, who rose from district ranger to regional forest supervisor, is the new chief of the U.S. Forest Service. . . .
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He’s the third consecutive chief to be picked from the region, which is based in Missoula. . . .

_Tidwell’s “principle qualification” for the job is an ability to bring together groups that historically have been at odds with each other over forest management, said Keith Olson, executive director of the Montana Logging Association in Kalispell. . . .
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Bob Ekey . . . of The Wilderness Society, also said Tidwell was a good choice, describing him as a strong supporter of protecting wild lands, including roadless areas.