Chuck Sams unanimously confirmed as new Park Service Director

November 19, 2021 3:51 PM

New National Park Service Director Makes History as First Native American to Hold Position (People). "The Senate unanimously confirmed Sams' nomination for NPS director on Thursday, making him the first Senate-confirmed director since the Obama administration."

As NPS director, Sams will report to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, herself the first Native Senate-confirmed cabinet secretary.

posted by kristi (10 comments total)

I've been watching the confirmations a bit via GovTrack, and very few of the confirmation votes are even close, much less unanimous. According to The Hill, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden asked the Senate to confirm the nomination unanimously.
posted by kristi at 3:52 PM on November 19, 2021 [2 favorites]

FDA still has an acting admin, though Biden has finally nominated someone.

How many more before we clear that particular pandemic-related supply-chain bottleneck?
posted by joeyh at 4:03 PM on November 19, 2021

This is great news for the NPS. The disfunction of the Trump regime has finally been overcome. Everything I've read about Mr. Sams is positive.
posted by blob at 5:23 PM on November 19, 2021

Is Ted Cruz still holding up the show?
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 5:23 PM on November 19, 2021

Chuck used to be on the board of a river and watershed conservation organization I worked for. At board meetings he often made leadership squirm as he asked the tough questions that needed to be asked, especially those pertaining to equity and diversity. He was also the guy you most wanted to have a beer with, and we did have several. I couldn't be happier for him or for NPS.
posted by vverse23 at 5:32 PM on November 19, 2021 [36 favorites]

Here's some more background on Sams from a local paper:
Who is Chuck Sams? His tribe and history put him into context.
posted by asterisk at 6:19 PM on November 19, 2021 [1 favorite]

Seems like a great choice
posted by Windopaene at 7:06 PM on November 19, 2021 [2 favorites]

Really? No GOP planning to oust their own Senators from agreeing with the Dems? /sarcasm
posted by kschang at 10:16 PM on November 19, 2021

Now do USGS! We have never had a non-white leader, it’s about time. It’s also been almost a year, and there is a lot to do.
posted by rockindata at 5:16 AM on November 20, 2021 [3 favorites]

Let's hope this is the first step to LAND BACK.
posted by RedEmma at 1:13 PM on November 20, 2021 [2 favorites]