Obama taps Fish and Wildlife veteran for agency

Salt Lake City (AP) – A veteran U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
administrator is President Barack Obama’s nominee to head up the
agency.

Sam D. Hamilton is director of the agency’s Southeast Region,
based in Atlanta, which covers 10 states and the Caribbean.

Hamilton, a 30-year veteran of the Fish and Wildlife Service,
has been responsible for the oversight and management of more than
350 federally listed threatened and endangered species and 128
national wildlife refuges. He also oversees restoration work in
Florida’s Everglades.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, who was in Salt Lake City
Wednesday, announced the nomination this week. It needs Senate
approval.