Senate Energy Committee exchange highlights state-led wildlife recovery and pledge on tribal water settlements

At a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Senator Heinrich pressed a gubernatorial nominee on state-led strategies to avoid Endangered Species Act listings and on implementing tribal water settlements in western basins.

The nominee, addressed in the transcript as "Governor," said state conservation work is the best way to keep species off federal lists and pledged to continue the department's work on resolving and implementing tribal water settlements. "Absolutely, Senator Heinrich. I think that, again, [a] super sound principle there, which is to do the work to keep it off of ... any kind of federal designation. Working collaboratively with the states," the nominee said. Later, when asked…