What
They Are Saying...
Praise
for Congressman Ryan Zinke as Secretary of Interior
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI):
“Ryan is a no-nonsense leader who has spent his entire life serving
this country. He went above and beyond the call of duty as a Navy SEAL
for more than two decades. After hanging up the uniform, he decided to
continue his service by representing the people of Montana in the
House. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee, he has been an
ardent supporter of all-of-the-above energy policies and responsible
land management. And as a Westerner with close to one third of his
state owned by the federal government, he is intimately familiar with
how Washington’s decisions affect people’s lives. Ryan’s experience and
commitment to improving the lives of all Americans will make him an
excellent Interior Secretary. I could not be happier for Ryan, Lola,
and their entire family.”
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT):
“Ryan Zinke protected us abroad and in combat and I know he will do the
same for our treasured public lands as Secretary of the Interior,”
Daines stated. “In Congress, I’ve seen Ryan stand up and fight to
protect our way of life. As a westerner, Ryan understands the
challenges of having the federal government as your largest neighbor
and I couldn't think of a better fit for Secretary of the Interior.”
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT):
“Selfishly, I’m not crazy about this nomination, because Zinke was a
bright freshman member of our committee. This will be a loss for us. I
was looking forward to working with him on Resources and in the Western
Caucus. However, this appointment gives us greater opportunity to help
people and solve problems that face the West.
“In our committee, he dealt with many issues including transmission
rights-of-way to move power from its production source to where the
people are. He experienced firsthand the frustrations associated with
an administration that didn’t put its priorities on helping people and
effective land management.
“He also understands our frustrations with Interior’s arbitrary rules
and regulations that put dogma ahead of helping people. He clearly
understands Speaker Ryan’s Article I initiative. I am excited to have
an administration that will now partner with Congress to solve problems
created by years of mismanagement at Interior. I look forward to
working with Zinke to create new solutions.”
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC):
“The selection of Congressman Ryan Zinke to head up the Department of
the Interior is another great addition by the President-Elect to an
already excellent cabinet. I am very excited about the pick and I hope
that he accepts. This Navy SEAL has been a pleasure to work with over
the last Congress. I had the chance to serve with Ryan on the Committee
on Natural Resources, which oversees the Department. He showed a depth
of knowledge concerning interior issues that will provide an
experienced voice in President Trump's White House. Whether that be
ensuring that the American public has access to federal lands or that
we are developing the energy resources in federal areas, Ryan is
someone who is on the right side of these important issues. Ryan and I
also share the similar passions for the outdoors and sportsmen's
issues. As Co-Chairman of the largest Caucus in Congress - the
Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC) - I look forward to working with
a fellow outdoorsman on issues important to the hunters, fishermen,
shooters and outdoor loving Americans. Initiatives of the CSC like the
SHARE Act will be a top priority in the next Congress. I believe Ryan
will be ready to help deliver real results to these efforts as well as
many others while Secretary of the Interior.”
Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited:
“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.”
Rob Sisson, President of ConservAmerica:
“ConservAmerica congratulates Rep. Ryan Zinke on his nomination to be
the next Secretary of the Interior. Based on conversations I’ve had
with Rep. Zinke on a number of issues, I am confident President Elect
Trump made an inspired choice. Mr. Trump’s comments last week in North
Carolina about public lands and the party’s Theodore Roosevelt
conservation legacy foreshadowed this caliber of nominee.”
Paul Walker, Executive Director of ConservAmerica:
“His Montana background will serve him well in this role. About
one-third of Montana’s land mass is public, providing Rep. Zinke a firm
grounding in the challenges inherent in the stewardship of public lands
and local economies. His current constituency includes ranchers,
farmers, loggers, hunters, anglers, Native Americans, miners, and
high-tech innovators. In order to pass our great public lands legacy on
to future generations, we need those groups to work more closely as
stakeholders with appropriate government agencies. Rep. Zinke is a
leader who can bring them together.”
Tina Beattie, Chair of the ConservAmerica Board:
“We stand ready to partner with the new Secretary of Interior as our
nation seeks to continue its record of good stewardship of our land,
water, and wildlife. We’re excited to see him bring his Navy SEAL ethic
to the Department of the Interior.”
Land Tawney, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) President
and CEO:
“Congressman Zinke understands the importance of public lands and
balancing management of these important resources with energy
development and other uses. As Montana’s lone representative in the
House of Representatives, Mr. Zinke has showed himself to be receptive
to the interests of a wide range of constituents and a potential ally
of sportsmen and other outdoor recreationists.
“Charged with administering significant federal lands and natural
resources, the Interior secretary is possibly the most powerful
individual in the country when it comes to the future of our cherished
public lands and waters, fish and wildlife and outdoor traditions.
“We’re gratified that the Trump administration is listening to our
concerns and showing a willingness to act in the best interests of the
American people and our irreplaceable public lands legacy."
BHA National Board Chair Ryan Busse:
“Montana sportsmen have welcomed opportunities to engage with
Representative Zinke during his work on behalf of Montanans as a member
of Congress. We appreciate his efforts to keep public lands public and
to strongly fund cornerstone natural resources programs like the Land
and Water Conservation Fund; at the same time, we are committed to
ensuring that fish and wildlife and their habitats are considered
priorities with competing uses of our public lands. We look forward to
continuing to work closely with Mr. Zinke as Interior secretary.”
Whit Fosburgh, President, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
Partnership:
“He’s shown courage and commitment to public lands and conservation and
[is] someone we think would be an excellent secretary of interior.” (
Washington
Post)
Independent Petroleum Association of America President and CEO
Barry Russell:
“We’re pleased with President-elect Trump’s selection of Congressman
Ryan Zinke, a former Navy SEAL commander, for the position of Secretary
of the Interior. The Interior Secretary is our nation’s strongest
advocate for protecting and actively harnessing more than 500 million
acres of federal land and natural resources for the benefit of all
Americans. Nobody values the importance of public land use better than
a Westerner. As a conservationist hailing from the energy-producing
state of Montana, Congressman Zinke understands the critical role that
the Interior Department plays in balancing the effective management of
our nation’s lands and waters with multiple use policies that open
access to the public for conservation, recreational opportunities,
job-creating economic activities, and safe, responsible energy
development. IPAA looks forward to continuing to work with Congressman
Zinke in his new role as Interior Secretary and collaborate together on
new ways to grow our economy, while improving the environment and
enhancing life for all Americans.”
American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard:
“As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and a fifth
generation Montanan, Congressman Zinke knows the great potential that
our federal lands hold when it comes to developing our nation’s energy
resources, and he knows that this is good for American jobs and
strengthening our national security,” said Gerard. “As a former member
of our armed forces who served as a U.S. Navy Seal for over two
decades, Congressman Zinke knows that our nation’s energy security and
national security are dependent upon each other.
“We look forward to working with Congressman Zinke is his new role on
policies that will keep energy affordable, create jobs, and protect our
environment as we lead the world in the production and refining of oil
and natural gas while reducing carbon emissions.”
*
* *
National
Rural
Electric Cooperative Association
December 15, 2016
NRECA Statement on the Selection of Rep. Ryan Zinke for Interior
Secretary
ARLINGTON, Va. —
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) today
issued the following statement in response to President-elect Donald
Trump’s selection of Rep. Ryan Zinke to serve as Interior Secretary.
“America’s electric cooperatives have established a tremendous
relationship with Ryan Zinke during his time in Congress, and he’s a
great choice to lead the Interior Department,” said NRECA CEO Jim
Matheson. “Electric cooperatives work closely with DOI on a
number of
issues, including co-op right-of-way and land-use activities. The
Department plays a key role in balancing the need to protect the
nation’s natural resources with co-ops’ ability to maintain reliable
and affordable electric service. Once confirmed, we look forward to
working with Rep. Zinke to advance these crucial goals.”
The National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association
is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more
than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives,
which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.
###
League
of
Conservation Voters
December 15, 2016
LCV Statement on Zinke’s Nomination for
Secretary of Interior
Washington,
D.C. – In
response to news reports that Trump is nominating Rep. Ryan Zinke as
Secretary of the Interior, League of Conservation Voters President Gene
Karpinski issued the following statement:
“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. 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. The American people
should be alarmed that someone with his anti-environmental record
could
be responsible for our national parks and wildlife refuges
and could
promote more dirty and dangerous drilling.
###
Sierra
Club
December 13, 2016
Sierra Club Criticizes Zinke
Nomination for DOI
WASHINGTON,
D.C.--
Media
reports today noted President-elect Donald Trump hopes to
appoint Ryan Zinke as Secretary of the Interior. The Department of the
Interior exists to protect and manage the country’s public lands and
resources, including national parks, monuments and endangered species.
In
response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune issued the
following statement.
“In
nominating Representative Zinke, President-elect Trump has once again
chosen someone unsuited for the job at hand. His nomination jeopardizes
the places that are so much a part of the American spirit and the
backbone of the outdoor recreation economy.
“Zinke
is
only
able to recognize the importance of programs like the Land and
Water Conservation Fund a mere 3 percent of the time, while the other
97 percent of the time he’s voted with those that would dismantle,
degrade and dispose of our public lands. Being Secretary of the
Interior requires someone who will protect our public lands 100 percent
of the time.
“Public
lands
are
held in trust for all of us and should be managed as an
investment in the future. Yet, Zinke is firmly in the past, clinging to
plans to mine, drill and log public lands to benefit corporate
polluters, supporting dangerous and dirty projects like the Keystone XL
pipeline, and opposing efforts to clean up our air. The need to keep
dirty fuels in the ground is urgent, especially on public lands. We
cannot afford to have someone in charge who dabbles in climate denial.
"We
strongly urge Senators, who are elected to represent and protect the
American people, to stand up for everyone who enjoys the
outdoors and oppose this nomination.”
###
Center
for
Western Prioirities
December 13, 2016
DENVER—In response to reports that
Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke has
accepted President-elect Donald Trump’s offer to lead the
Department of
the Interior, the Center for Western Priorities released the following
statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“During his political career, Representative Ryan Zinke
has flirted with a broad spectrum of positions on public lands, only to
change course when the people of Montana made it clear that siding with
the land seizure agenda would permanently harm his electoral prospects.
If he takes the helm at Interior, Montanans and all Westerners will
continue to hold him accountable and will not forget decisions that
undermine America’s public lands legacy.
“During his confirmation hearing, Rep. Zinke must reassure the
American people that he will stand up to members of his own party and
never tolerate any attempts to hand over the ownership or management of
American lands to state or private hands.
“Last week, President-elect Trump told America he wants to follow
in
Theodore Roosevelt’s footsteps by conserving America’s parks and public
lands. Ryan Zinke has also proclaimed ‘I’m a Teddy Roosevelt
conservationist.’ If he’s confirmed as Interior Secretary, Zinke will
have to finally choose whether his legacy will be one worthy of Teddy
Roosevelt’s respect.”
Congressman Ryan Zinke has been all over the map on
public lands
As a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2012, Ryan Zinke
signed
the Montana
Constitutional
Governance Pledge, which states that federal lands
in Montana are unconstitutional.
The pledge reads:
“The undersigned Candidates pledge to…. legally and
administratively oppose the multitude of bureaucracies that have sprung
up to enforce the unlawful seizure of our native land and its resources
including, but not limited to: The Bureau of Land Management, The
United States Park Service, The various bureaus of Wildlife and
Fisheries, etc., and restore the rightful powers over the land to the
State and private ownership.”
Earlier this year, Rep. Zinke voted for a bill that would
have transferred management of millions of acres of American forest
lands to Western states. The policy—a precursor to the “transfer” of
public lands—was widely panned by conservation
and
sportsmen organizations. At the same time, Rep. Zinke resigned his position
as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in protest of the
Republican Party platform, which advocated for disposing of American
public lands into state and private hands.
Center
for
Biological Diversity
December 13, 2016
Center for Biological
Diversity Statement on Ryan Zinke as Trump's Choice for Interior
Secretary
TUCSON, Ariz.—
Freshman congressman Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) has reportedly been
picked by
Donald Trump to serve as secretary of the Interior to oversee
endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hundreds of
millions of acres of public land including the national parks, Bureau
of Land Management lands and national wildlife refuges and the Bureau
of Indian Affairs. Zinke was a staunch, early and controversial
supporter of Trump throughout the presidential campaign. Trump has
picked his wife Lola Zinke to oversee the transition of the Veteran's
Administration.
Statement of Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Center for
Biological Diversity:
“Ryan Zinke has a dismal 3 percent lifetime environmental voting
record. His brief political career has been substantially devoted to
attacking endangered species and the Endangered Species Act. He led
efforts to strip federal protections for endangered wolves, lynx and
sage grouse, voted to exempt massive agribusiness and water developers
from Endangered Species Act limitations, and opposed efforts to crack
down on the international black market ivory trade."
“Zinke consistently votes for the interests of oil and gas
companies,
which is not surprising since Oasis Petroleum is his largest campaign
contributor and the oil and gas industry is his third-largest sector
contributor. He has also voted against and attacked the establishment
of protective national monuments on public lands."
“On the bright side, Zinke has spoken and voted against the outright
transfer of federal public lands to states and corporations. This is in
keeping with positions taken by Donald Trump and his son Donald, Jr.
Unfortunately Zinke has championed the same result — greatly increased
logging, mining and oil drilling, greatly reduced environmental
protections, elimination of federal control, and weakening of
environmental standards — by turning over public land management to
industry-dominated panels appointed by state governors. In Zinke’s
scheme, industry and state interests get all the environmental
destruction and profit they want, with the federal government being
made to pay for it through nominal retention of land title."
“Zinke’s cynically named ‘Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015’ was
one of several schemes he led to turn control of public land to
industry-dominated panels. It was widely opposed by conservationists,
sportsmen, businesses and even some timber companies for dispensing
with environmental laws and public involvement in order to ramp up
unsustainable logging levels."
"Disturbingly, in 2012 Zinke contradicted his recent stance when he
signed the extremist Montana Constitutional Governance
Pledge promising
to 'legally and administratively oppose the multitude of bureaucracies
that have sprung up to enforce the unlawful seizure of our native land
and its resources including, but not limited to: the Bureau of Land
Management, the United States Park Service, the various bureaus of
Wildlife and Fisheries, etc., and restore the rightful powers over the
land to the State and private ownership.' During confirmation hearings,
the Senate needs to grill Zinke on this contradiction and ensure he
truly supports keeping public lands in public hands."
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national,
nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.1 million members
and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species
and wild places.
