JUNEAU -- An Arizona national forest supervisor has been named to oversee the Tongass National Forest, following the retirement of longtime Tongass Supervisor Forrest Cole.
Coming to the rain forest from the Coconino National Forest is Earl Stewart, a veteran of six previous national forest assignments.
The appointment was made by Beth Pendleton, the Forest Service's Alaska Regional Forester, and announced Friday. Stewart is expected to start work in May.
The Forest Service said Stewart has "provided leadership on a series of high profile issues including the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act, the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area litigation, and the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project among other complex issues and programs."
Stewart joined the U.S. Forest Service in 1991, following work for the Oklahoma State Department of Wildlife Conservation. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University.
Pendleton called Stewart the "perfect choice to lead the Tongass National Forest" because of his great understanding of the unique relationship communities have with their national forests.
Two conservation groups, Trout Unlimited and the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, issued statements praising Stewart's background as a biologist and his experience leading collaborative restoration efforts elsewhere.
The Tongass is the nation's largest national forest and has been the site of frequent battles between conservationists and timber cutters. At least three lawsuits involving the Tongass and timber sales are currently pending in U.S. District Court in Juneau.
Stewart previously worked in national forests in Montana and Alabama, as well as in postings in Washington, D.C.
Retiring Supervisor Cole has led the Ketchikan-headquartered Tongass National Forest since 2003 and retires following a 40-year Forest Service career.