In a public statement today to the Associated Press (AP), Zinke said he would not recommend that the president eliminate any of the 27 protected areas, but that a “handful” should be shrunk.
He didn’t specify the changes included in his report to President Trump, but said any areas removed would remain under federal control and that public access to those areas would stay the same or improve.
Zinke said it’s important to keep areas protected when warranted.
There’s an expectation we need to look out 100 years from now to keep the public land experience alive in this country,” Zinke told AP. “You can protect the monument by keeping public access to traditional uses.”
It’s not yet known how President Trump will react to the recommendations and what actions he might take. The White House indicated the president would take them under review and determine the right path forward.
Environmentalists are expressing disappointment with Zinke’s report, as would be expected. They threaten to sue the government if President Trump makes changes without congressional approval.
No president has eliminated a monument created by his predecessor before, and no court has weighed in on whether a reversal or even a reduction to a monument’s size is legal.
Meanwhile, industries affected by the decision to shrink some of the designated areas may benefit. Among those are: oil, coal, mining, ranching and fishing, which could be allowed in areas removed from the monument designations.
Hunting and sport fishing organizations also were hoping the review would open more access to federal lands.
Although Zinke did not specify which national monument areas would be affected, he previously announced six national monuments should remain as they are: Canyons of the Ancients in Colorado, Craters of the Moon in Idaho, Grand Canyon-Parashant in Arizona, Hanford Reach in Washington, Sand to Snow in California and Upper Missouri River Breaks in Montana.
Did Obama mortgage all this land to China for loan of money!
Yes
Reverse all of his deals and policies!!!!!!!!!
Good
Obama needs to go back to where he came from I don’t remember bush it anyone else getting into his business .he was a bad president and is jealous of trump
I agree !! Because these lands were promised in collateral and to the UN who’s hasn’t perfected national parks or monuments!! Witch mulls and voids said agreement!!
Do it ,over reach and not caring about what the people want or think is his mark in history
Reverse ALL that Obummer did in 8 years
Reverse them all.
Reverse them all, Obama bungled everything did!