FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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.