Senate quizzes Forest Service nominee

Coloradan Harris Sherman coasted through a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday on his way to overseeing the U.S. Forest Service. The Senate Agriculture Committee did not vote Wednesday on Sherman or five other nominees for senior U.S. Department of Agriculture posts, but members asked Sherman about roadless areas, climate change and rural development. President Barack Obama has nominated Sherman to be USDA undersecretary for natural resources and environment, a post that oversees the Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. "Let me just re-emphasize my personal commitment to protection of the country's roadless areas. This is an extremely important asset to our current generations and future generations in the United States," Sherman said, responding to a question from committee chairwoman Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. Sherman has not sat down to discuss roadless strategy with his future boss, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, he said...read more