The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee on Monday advanced Michael Boren’s nomination to oversee the Forest Service as undersecretary of Agriculture for natural resources and environment. The vote was 12-11, with all Democrats opposing the choice.
Lawmakers also approved the nomination of Richard Fordyce as undersecretary of Agriculture for farm production and conservation on a vote of 19-4.
The top Democrat on the committee, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, said she had concerns about Boren’s background, which involves disagreements with the Forest Service about land use around his ranch properties bordering national forest system land in Idaho.
If confirmed by the Senate, Boren would oversee the more intensive forest management approach the Trump administration is pursuing, working with Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz.
