Career forester named US Forest Service chief

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Montana forester Tom Tidwell is the new head of the U.S. Forest Service.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Wednesday that Tidwell will replace Gail Kimbell, who had led the Forest Service since 2007.

Tidwell is a 32-year Forest Service employee and now supervises national forests through northern Idaho, Montana and the Dakotas. He began his career at the Boise National Forest, and has since worked in eight different national forests across three regions.

He has worked at all levels of the agency, from district ranger to forest supervisor and legislative affairs specialist in the Washington headquarters.

Michael Francis, acting vice president of The Wilderness Society, called Tidwell a good choice. He said Tidwell has been a strong supporter of protecting wild lands, including roadless areas in remote forests...

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