Obama taps Coloradan as USDA environmental chief

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Obama selected Harris Sherman, a Colorado state official, for one of the top U.S. environmental posts -- Agriculture undersecretary for natural resources, said the White House on Thursday.

Sherman is director of Colorado's Department of Natural Resources. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be in charge of the 191 million-acre (77.4 million hectares) national forest system and most of USDA's programs that encourage stewardship of farm and rangeland.

Environmental groups objected this summer that Sherman played a role in a state plan that offered too many opportunities for logging and oil and gas production in roadless areas.

In a statement, the White House said Sherman started Colorado's minimum stream flow program, developed a mining reclamation program, modernized oil and gas regulatory programs and aided "the largest expansion of the state's wilderness and parks programs."

An earlier nominee for the post, Homer Wilkes, withdrew his name from consideration.

Sherman held the same post when Richard Lamm was governor.

(Reporting by Charles Abbott; Editing by David Gregorio)