If confirmed by the Senate, British-born Jewell will replace Ken Salazar, who is leaving in March after serving during President Obama’s first term.

The position oversees a department that manages and conserves most federal land and natural resources, and administers programmes related to Native Americans.

Salazar has been a high-profile cabinet secretary, opening public lands, including offshore, for renewables development. He also helped manage the federal government’s response to the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

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