Zinke Report Threatens Further Attacks on National Monuments
WASHINGTON – A day after President Trump announced devastating cuts to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke released his final national monuments report to President Trump targeting at least eight more monuments for downsizing or reduced protections, including Gold Butte in Nevada and Cascade-Siskiyou in California and Oregon, and Rose Atoll and Pacific Remote Islands marine monuments in the Pacific Ocean.
Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark issued the following statement:
“The Trump administration continues to prioritize private interests and industry profits over our public lands and natural heritage. National monument lands and waters protect endangered species, migratory birds, clean water and fragile habitat, along with incredible cultural and historic values. It is shameful that President Trump and Secretary Zinke’s notion of stewarding our nation’s lands, waters and wildlife is to sell them out. We will fight any attempt to strip away protections for these vital places.”
Defenders of Wildlife is celebrating 75 years of protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit defenders.org/newsroom and follow us on Twitter @Defenders.
