Lifelong forester James Hubbard told senators on Tuesday that if he is confirmed as agriculture undersecretary for natural resources, he will personally combat sexual harassment in the 32,000-member Forest Service. His first meeting with agency staff, said Hubbard, would focus on “what I can do to reinforce and, if needed, strengthen” policies against harassment.
“Harassment has no place, anywhere,” in the Forest Service, Hubbard said. The agency employs one-third of the USDA workforce and is responsible for 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands in 44 states and Puerto Rico. Tony Tooke resigned as Forest Service chief on March 8 amid allegations of sexual harassment. The agency updated its sexual harassment policy a year ago. The news program PBS NewsHour has reported that harassment of women in the Forest Service has been a problem for decades.
Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow said during the Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation hearing that 183 complaints of sexual harassment were filed against the Forest Service in the past two years. Harassment was confirmed in 77 of the 128 cases that have been completed, she said. “The Forest Service must do a better job of establishing a culture where sexual misconduct is not tolerated, where accusations are investigated thoroughly and properly, and where offenders are held accountable,” said Stabenow.
Hubbard concurred with Stabenow, saying, “Even if it’s one [instance], harassment has no place.”
To watch a video of the hearing or to read written testimony by the nominee, click here.