Senate Natural Resources Committee forwards two nominations to Game and Fish Commission and Livestock Loss Board

The Arizona Senate Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 16 voted to recommend two gubernatorial nominees to the full Senate.

Jessica Manuel, nominated to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, told the committee she looks forward to serving a five-year term and said her postdoctoral, science-focused background and previous state-agency experience will help her analyze data and form recommendations for wildlife management. Committee members asked about management of gray wolves; Manuel replied that the Mexican gray wolf is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and that U.S. Fish and Wildlife leads that management while Arizona Game and Fish provides support. After brief questioning, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation unanimously.

Stephen (Steven) Williams was recommended for the Arizona Livestock Loss Board, a nine-member body that administers compensation for livestock losses attributed to wolves and other predators. Williams described decades of volunteer service, work in the state land department’s natural-resources division and experience with ranchers and lessees. He said board decisions rely on statutory rules that distinguish probable from certified losses and that the board would follow those rules while also considering veterinary care for injured livestock guardian dogs. The committee voted unanimously to return Williams’ nomination to the full Senate.

Both recommendations were procedural committee actions; final confirmation requires a vote by the full Senate.