U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana has been nominated for Interior Secretary by President-elect Donald Trump
A Montana congressman who has drawn both praise and alarm from conservation groups has emerged as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Interior Department under his administration.
On one hand, Rep. Ryan Zinke has been welcomed as "a hunter and conservationist," but he also has been pilloried for having a "legislative record (that) reveals an alarming pattern of hostility toward wildlife and public lands during his short career as a congressman."
Rep. Zinke rose to the top of the selection process that a week ago had U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, seen as the eventual nominee. Also said to be considered for the job were retiring U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, also a Republican. Though some speculated that Rep. Zinke had his sights on challenging U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, in 2018, the Republican met with Mr. Trump earlier this week in New York and on Thursday was officially announced as the nominee.
“He has built one of the strongest track records on championing regulatory relief, forest management, responsible energy development, and public land issues,” Mr. Trump said in a statement. “As a former Navy SEAL, he has incredible leadership skills and an attitude of doing whatever it takes to win. America is the most beautiful country in the world, and he is going to help keep it that way with smart management of our federal lands.”
That view was not embraced by all.
"Though Mr. Zinke has expressed support for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and opposes the sale of public lands, he has prioritized the development of oil, gas and other resources over the protection of clean water and air, and wildlife. Mr. Zinke has advocated for state control of energy development on federal lands, a move that threatens our national parks," Theresa Pierno, president and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association, said in a prepared statement. "Mr. Zinke has repeatedly voted to block efforts to designate new national parks that would diversify the National Park System.
“If confirmed, our national parks will be the responsibility of Mr. Zinke. He will inherit a Park System that is more expansive, diverse, and reflective of the American story than ever before, but also a system facing many challenges," she added "It is critical that, if confirmed, Mr. Zinke address the needs of our national parks, with recognition of their immense benefits to our nation’s natural resources and cultural history. Our next president and Interior Secretary should embrace and uphold the values of our national parks, remembering that the decisions made today will be those that our children and grandchildren inherit.”
League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski described Rep. Zinke has a close friend of "Big Polluters."
“By nominating Rep. Ryan Zinke for Secretary of the Interior, Trump is sending yet another message to Big Polluters that their profits will come first on our public lands. While Rep. Zinke on occasion has broken with his party’s congressional leadership on conservation, it remains to be seen whether as Secretary of the Interior he would truly challenge their anti-parks agenda," said Mr. Karpinski in a statement. "His atrocious 3 percent score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard gives us little confidence that he will stand with the American people over polluters. Indeed, he is a climate denier who supports drilling in the Arctic and continuing outrageous subsidies for dirty energy development on public lands, positions that align with the oil and gas companies that have spent nearly $350,000 on his campaigns."
At Defenders of Wildlife, CEO and President Jamie Rappaport Clark said:
“What a disappointment! We are seriously concerned by the nomination of Ryan Zinke for the role of Secretary of the Interior. Rep. Zinke’s legislative record reveals an alarming pattern of hostility toward wildlife and public lands during his short career as a congressman. Rep. Zinke has consistently supported harmful, anti-wildlife legislation that would severely undermine the Endangered Species Act and remove or block protections for hundreds of imperiled species, including gray wolves and greater sage grouse. He has co-sponsored legislation that would have overturned an unprecedented multi-state, collaborative stakeholder agreement to conserve the greater sage grouse and that would have effectively transferred oversight of 60 million acres of federal lands to the states."
But at Ducks Unlimited, officials were optimistic that they could work with the nominee, who has just one term in the House of Representatives.
“We are pleased to see a hunter and conservationist nominated to the top public lands position and look forward to working with Rep. Zinke on issues of critical importance to conservation,” said Dale Hall, the organization's CEO.
Also welcoming the nominee was the Outdoor Industry Association:
“We congratulate Representative Zinke on his nomination to be Interior Secretary,” said OIA Executive Director Amy Roberts. “He shares the industry’s values specific to the importance of access to and funding for America’s public lands and waters. He knows the important role they play as the infrastructure of the $646 billion outdoor recreation economy. We look forward to a collaborative relationship and constructive dialogue with him, but we will also be ready to defend the protection of our shared lands and waters, our American heritage, should they be threatened.”
At Friends of the Earth, though, officials were greatly concerned by Rep. Zinke's pro-energy development stance.
"Zinke is another dangerous pick from Donald Trump. If the task is plundering our public lands on behalf of fossil fuel empires, Rep. Ryan Zinke is the man for the job," said Marissa Knodel, who campaigns on climate issues for the organization. "Representative Zinke and Donald Trump are determined to turn our public lands and waters into energy sacrifice zones. Zinke denies climate change science and champions increasing fossil fuel development for corporate profits over the health and safety of people and the planet. A Secretary of the Interior should defend our natural heritage, not the fossil fuel industry."
In a prepared statement released by the transition team, Mr. Zinke referenced Theodore Roosevelt in pledging to do his best in managing the nation's federal landscape.
“As inscribed in the stone archway of Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Montana, I shall faithfully uphold Teddy Roosevelt's belief that our treasured public lands are ‘for the benefit and enjoyment of the people,’” he said. “I will work tirelessly to ensure our public lands are managed and preserved in a way that benefits everyone for generations to come. Most important, our sovereign Indian nations and territories must have the respect and freedom they deserve.”
Comments
Before the annnouncement of the selection of Representative Zinke as the next Secretary of the Interior I had never heard of him. I still do not know anything about him except what I have read in various news articles. I suggest that those of us who support our National Parks keep an open mind about his appointment. We need to give the new Secretary of the Interior and chance to do his job. Once he is in office we will know more about the policies and programs he will direct. For now I suggest we wait. The issue is in doubt.
Wise counsel, Harry. But let's make sure our memberships in NPCA, Sierra Club, Southern Utah Wilderness Association, Coalition to Protect Our Parks, and other similar organizations are up to date.
It could have been a lot worse.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL reports it very differently this morning, noting that Trump balked at picking McMorris Rodgers because she wanted to privatize the public lands. Donald Trump, Jr., a hunter and fisherman, allegedly told his father no. Even though the "transfer of federally owned wilderness lands to the states. . . is a position favored by most Republicans, including Ms. McMorris Rodgers, . . . the president-elect and his son, an avid hunter, oppose it."
In other words, the story in the WSJ is about the undue influence of Donald Trump, Jr. "The younger Mr. Trump has a longtime interest in preserving wilderness areas for hunting and fishing, and Mr. Zimke's own opposition to selling off federal lands stems from his concern that it would mean less access to public lands for outdoor sports."
Well, if that is "undue influence," why should we complain? Sounds like two Theodore Roosevelt Republicans to me. But you see, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL is also the Establishment. Oh, the horror of going against the Party Platform! Now what ever gave Mr. Trump that idea?
Perhaps that he owes the Republican Party not a thing? Of course. For once, you are being heard, and the Establishment insists you not listen. For once, the Bush and Clinton dynasties do not control the Republican/Democratic Party. It's your turn, Hillary. Oh, thank you. And Jeb, you will still be young enough to be coronated in 2024!
Stop and think what has happened here. You could have gotten Ms. McMorris Rodgers--another James Watt if ever there was one. Instead you got a Theodore Roosevelt Republican. Yes, John Muir criticized TR because he liked to hunt, and because he believed in utility as much as preservation. TR did not stop cutting trees, building dams, and mining coal. The point is that he knew WHERE to draw the line. I believe Mr. Zimke knows that, too.
Maybe we should start printing that on our currency and government letterhead, as our new national motto. "Posset esse deterius" instead of E pluribus unum.
Anonymous, yes, it could be worse, interesting post, "posset esse deterius" as opposed to "E pluribus unum", out of many one. Perhaps your suggestion is on the mark.