Tracy Stone-Manning, a resident of Montana, was recently confirmed as the director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), despite accusations from conservatives that she was an eco-extremist who advocated spiking trees in the 1980s.
Tree spiking involves hammering a metal rod, nail or other material into a tree trunk, either inserting it at the base of the trunk where a logger may cut into the tree, or higher up where it could affect the processing of the wood at a sawmill.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Stone-Manning as the director of the BLM Sept. 30. She will be tasked with managing 245 million acres of federal land, more than 10% of the country, including 700 million acres of mining mineral holdings.
A report in the Huffington Post said Stone-Manning, a former senior advisor for conservation policy at the nonprofit National Wildlife Federation, is the first confirmed director since Neil Kornze headed the post under President Barrack Obama.
“The Bureau of Land Management plays a critical role to address the climate crisis, expand access to our public lands, create a clean energy future, and preserve our nation’s shared outdoor heritage,” U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a BLM press release. “Tracy brings a wealth of knowledge in conservation and environmental policy to these efforts and a history of working with diverse communities in service to our public lands. I look forward to working with her to strengthen the Bureau and advance Interior’s mission.”
Stone-Manning described herself as a hiker, hunter and cook in a tweet.
Republicans were less than thrilled with the appointment. They accused Stone-Manning of being an environmental terrorist, who in 1989, took part in the effort to hammer metal spikes into trees in an Idaho forest so they could not be logged. They said as a graduate of the University of Montana, Stone-Manning joined the Earth First environmental activist group that vandalized ski parks and occupied forests.
Stone-Manning also allegedly typed a letter using threatening language to the U.S. Forest Service that warned trees had been spiked
Sen. John Barrasso, a Wyoming Republican led the effort to prevent Stone-Manning’s confirmation.
“Ms. Stone-Manning helped plan the tree-spiking,” he told members of the Senate in July, according to the Huffington Post. “She knew about it in advance. She sent the threatening letter to the Forest Service. She was investigated. She collaborated with eco-terrorists. She lied to the Senate. Lying has consequences. In this case her actions and lies should cost her this nomination.”
Democrats hit back saying Republicans had supported the tenure of William Pendley, who they described as an “anti-public lands extremist” illegally leading the BLM in President Donald Trump's administration. They claimed Pendley argued that public lands should not exist and insulted Native American groups for their religious beliefs.
Stone-Manning denied the allegations saying she only wants what is best for public lands.
“I am deeply honored to lead the Bureau of Land Management and carry out its critical mission to protect and manage America’s public lands,” she said in the BLM press release. “I recognize that there is work to be done to rebuild the BLM, and I look forward to connecting with the important stakeholders that rely on its strong management. Our public lands are one of America’s finest ideas, and I am ready to get to work alongside a remarkable team to ensure our outdoor spaces are protected for current and future generations to enjoy.”
