Duck dispute holds up Interior Department nominees

Upset at an attempt by Southern lawmakers to lengthen their duck hunting season, Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., has put a hold on the consideration of President Bush's nominees to oversee the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Associated Press reported.

Bush has nominated Steve Williams to head the agency and Craig Manson to be the Interior Department's assistant secretary for fish and wildlife. Their nominations have cleared the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, but are still awaiting approval from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Dayton and fellow Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone are battling the agency over its proposal to extend the duck hunting season from 51 to 60 days in six Southern states. They argue the change would leave fewer ducks for Northern hunters next season.

Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and other Mississippi Republicans sought the change, arguing the extension is justified by shifts in temperature and migratory patterns.

A Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman said a final decision is expected next week.