New Faces and Departures at the Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This week, the media has reported two changes in key roles at the Department of the Interior (“DOI”) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”).  Greg Sheehan has reportedly left his role as Principal Deputy Director of USFWS.  Sheehan had held the role since appointed by DOI Secretary Zinke in June 2017.  As the Trump administration has not yet filled the role of Director of the USFWS, Sheehan had been the top official within USFWS.  Sheehan is expected to leave his role next week.

The media also reported this week that Andrea Travnicek has been named as Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, overseeing USFWS and the National Park Service.  Prior to this new role, Travnicek had been serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science for DOI.  She replaces Trump appointee Susan Combs, who will now serve as Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget.  Combs had been serving as Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks since late March while awaiting confirmation of her role as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget.