Article Summary –
Eileen Ryce, a longtime fisheries expert at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, resigned due to inadequate support from her superiors and a series of “baseless allegations” that led to her administrative leave and eventual resignation. Ryce criticized the agency’s recent structural changes, such as the reassignment of researchers and the prioritization of administrative over scientific leadership under Governor Greg Gianforte’s administration. Despite her departure, Ryce remains committed to fisheries issues in Montana and has received significant support from colleagues and the public, reflected in a GoFundMe page for her legal expenses.
After a nearly 21-year career with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), lead fisheries expert Eileen Ryce has resigned. Ryce, a fisheries biologist with a PhD, cited inadequate support from her superiors as a reason for her departure.
In her Aug. 1 resignation letter, Ryce referenced “baseless allegations” that led to her administrative leave three months ago.
“Being verbally threatened with immediate termination and escorted from the office was egregious,” she wrote. “Had the Directors Office investigated the erroneous allegations, the damaging results could have been avoided.”
In an Aug. 2 interview with Montana Free Press, Ryce said the May 17 events shocked her and that she was unaware of the circumstances until an investigator recently cleared her of allegations of discrimination and retaliatory behavior.
Ryce’s resignation letter also mentioned “certain conditions” placed on her return that she couldn’t agree to. “There was a statement describing me in a way I couldn’t agree with, and I had to work on an improvement plan to correct those character issues,” she said.
FWP spokesperson Greg Lemon declined to comment on the allegations and investigation as it pertains to a personnel matter.
Ryce said she couldn’t be effective in her position without support from her supervisors, prompting her resignation.
Under an agency restructuring, Ryce’s new supervisor has been Melissa Watson, previously with Intermountain Health.
“Being fish chief was more than just a job; it was a calling. I need to be effective in a position and trust in support from above,” Ryce said. “On a daily basis, I made difficult decisions critical to natural resource management, including managing endangered species, preventing aquatic invasive species, and ensuring fish hatcheries are pathogen-free.”
“Being fish chief was more than just a job; it was a calling. I need to be effective in a position and trust in support from above.”
Former FWP Fisheries Division Administrator Eileen Ryce
Ryce also highlighted ongoing frustrations with the increasing politicization of FWP under Governor Greg Gianforte’s administration.
Former director Henry “Hank” Worsech prioritized customer service and the “social dimension” of wildlife management. Ryce found his preference for administrative over scientific experience troubling. Worsech retired in 2023 after a medical leave.
Ryce criticized a decision to move researchers under the director’s office instead of the Fish and Wildlife Division, which could weaken their connection with field staff.
Lemon defended the structural shift, stating it allows better utilization of researchers’ skills to address resource issues like the decline in trout populations in southwest Montana.
Ryce mentioned that the investigation never questioned her stewardship of Montana’s aquatic resources. A GoFundMe page supporting her legal expenses raised nearly $14,000. While she worked with an attorney, she doesn’t plan legal action against the state.
Ryce and her husband, a former FWP biologist, maintain close ties with current and former employees, many of whom are concerned about forced and voluntary departures since Gianforte became governor. These include the reassignment of former Wildlife Division Administrator Ken McDonald and the departures of Enforcement Chief Dave Loewen and Chief of Operations Mike Volesky.
The agency is currently under state audit examining hiring and disciplinary practices from 2021 to 2023.
Ryce supports the audit, hoping it will be “unbiased, truthful, and thorough.”
While saddened to leave her colleagues, Ryce is at peace with her decision and plans to stay engaged with fisheries issues in Montana in a new role.
“I feel like there’s more work for me to do here,” she said. “I left with my integrity intact, and that’s important to me.”
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