Trump, Zinke Escalate War on Our Monuments

WASHINGTON – Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke released a long-withheld report on national monuments today, in which he called for President Trump to roll back protections for some of the nation’s most cherished public lands and waters.  Zinke recommended opening the door to drilling, mining and commercial fishing in special places that belong to all Americans.

Sharon Buccino, director of the Land and Wildlife Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, made the following statement:

“Zinke’s report, like yesterday’s outrageous and illegal actions by his boss, makes it crystal clear: the Trump administration is waging a war on our treasured national monuments—by land, sea and air.  It must not stand.

“And the bill introduced in the House today by Rep. Curtis (R-UT) is part and parcel of the same attack.”

NRDC’s President, Rhea Suh, offers more on Trump’s attack on our national treasures in this blog.

NRDC’s report, “America’s Monuments: Worth the Fight,” on how our monuments benefit the economy and preserve our heritage, wildlife and history, can be found here.

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.