Commentary, Environmental

Western Environmental Law Center Statement on Nomination of Public Lands Privatization Advocate to lead U.S. Department of Interior


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OREGON–(ENEWSPF)–December 9, 2016. The nomination of Cathy McMorris Rodgers to lead the U.S. Department of Interior, tasked with “protecting America’s great outdoors and powering our future,” affirms the president elect’s intent to undermine public lands protections and hand over our public resources to dirty fossil fuel interests.

This nomination serves as a warning to all public land users, including hunters, anglers, hikers, bikers, and more that the incoming administration aims to dismantle “America’s best idea.”

Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ record includes the following:

  • Strongly anti-Endangered Species Act; introduced legislation to decrease ESA transparency
  • Supported modifying the National Environmental Protection Act for pet projects
  • Co-sponsored a bill to transfer 3 million acres of public lands to private ownership
  • Voted to undermine the president’s authority to designate national monuments
  • Voted to open Pacific Outer Continental Shelf to oil and gas drilling
  • Accepted $355,340 from the oil and gas industry in her career

“Our public lands are a stronghold of resilience in the face of climate change and the critical starting point for transitioning away from dirty fossil fuels and towards clean energy. The nomination of someone who prioritizes fossil fuel exploitation and privatization of our public resources clearly displays the incoming administration’s dedication to regressive policy that will line the pockets of fossil fuel tycoons,” said Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, executive director of the Western Environmental Law Center. “We will wield the full power of the law to stand between McMorris Rodgers and the destruction of our most treasured places. Likewise, we will lead efforts to protect public lands for all Americans in the face of the coming assault.”

Source: http://www.westernlaw.org

 

 


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