The natural resources commissioner is a state-level position. The duties of the position vary from state to state, but their general role is maintaining, protecting, and regulating natural resources; including state parks, forests, and recreation areas.
HIGHLIGHTS
Wyoming does not have a natural resource commissioner. The state's natural resources are overseen by divisions within the statewide agriculture agency.
In Arkansas, New Mexico, and South Dakota, two offices share responsibilities for natural resources management: a nonpartisan office appointed by the governor and a partisan office filled via election.
Five states—Arkansas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington—publicly elect a natural resources commissioner. In all other states, the office is nonpartisan and appointed.[1]
All states except Wyoming have a natural resources commissioner who is charged with oversight of the state's natural resources. In 44 states, the natural resources commissioner is a nonpartisan appointee. In 38 of those states, the governor is responsible for appointing the natural resources commissioner, while in the other six some other official or commission holds the power of appointment. In Texas and Washington, the natural resources commissioner is a partisan official who is elected in statewide elections. Arkansas, South Dakota, and New Mexico divide the duties that would fall under the office of natural resource commissioner in other states between two offices; a nonpartisan office appointed by the governor and a partisan office filled via election.
The majority of natural resource commissioner offices are officially nonpartisan; however, natural resource commissioners are selected in partisan elections in five states. Of the five natural resource commissioners with partisan affiliations, 3 are Republicans and 2 are Democrats. In three states with elected natural resource commissioners, some of the office's responsibilities are held by a second nonpartisan natural resource commissioner appointed by the governor.
According to compensation figures for 2023 compiled by the Council of State Governments in the Book of the States, the largest salary for a natural resources commissioner was $241,508 in Utah, while the lowest was $100,000 in West Virginia. Salary information was not available for the natural resources commissioner in North Dakota. To view the compensation of a specific natural resources commissioner, hover your mouse cursor over the state.
Incumbent commissioner John Thurston (R) won re-election to a second term in 2014, defeating challengers Mark Robertson (D) and Elvis D. Presley (L) by a 20.6 percent margin.
Incumbent commissioner Ray Powell (D) sought re-election to a fourth term in 2014 and was defeated by challenger Aubrey Dunn (R) by a 0.2 percent margin.
↑In Arkansas, New Mexico, and South Dakota, two offices share responsibilities for natural resource management. In each state, the commissioner of one of those agencies is elected while the other is appointed.
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