FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2017
DENVER—Today the Interior Department announced it will undermine sage-grouse conservation plans across the West, opening the door to mining and development on critical habitat. The result of years of negotiation by Western governors, ranchers, and conservationists, the existing plans seek to boost sage-grouse recovery in hopes of keeping the bird off of the endangered species list. In response, the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“Secretary Zinke is blowing up a bipartisan wildlife success story to allow more drilling and mining. At this point he might as well be drawing a paycheck from oil and gas companies instead of American taxpayers.
“Ranchers, conservationists, and Western governors of both parties worked hard for years to make these plans a reality. But after Secretary Zinke’s speeches at industry conferences and private flights on oil executive jets, it’s clear that unprecedented collaboration doesn’t stand a chance.”
LEARN MORE
- Ripped Off: Trump administration auctions imperiled sage-grouse habitat to oil and gas companies for pennies on the dollar
- Interior Secretary Zinke is sending a $75 million gift to oil, gas, and coal companies
- Leaked memo reveals how the Trump administration will fast-track drilling and mining on public lands
For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Jesse Prentice-Dunn at 720-204-1886 or jesse@westernpriorities.org.