Photo courtesy of whitehouse.gov
Interior Secretary nominee Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) testified today before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee:
The first minute of @DebHaalandNM’s opening statement is one for the history books: pic.twitter.com/qtaIm6PnuN
— DJ Koessler (@DJKoessler) February 23, 2021
With Deb Haaland at the helm, the Department of the Interior (DOI) could manage our public lands vastly differently not only from the previous administration, but also from how it's historically carried out its far-reaching charge. Her confirmation could bring two fundamental shifts in how public lands are used and managed, both to the country’s long-term benefit.
#1- Indigenous perspectives would receive greater recognition in land management. The Department of the Interior has a poor track record of Tribal consultation. Rep. Haaland, however, has dedicated herself to building nation-to-nation relationships with Tribes and advocating for Indigenous rights. Given the Interior Department’s role in both upholding federal trust responsibilities to Indigenous communities and in managing public lands, listening to and acting on Indigenous priorities could have far-reaching implications for everything from access to co-management.
Haaland’s Record:
- Cosponsored legislation to restore Bears Ears National Monument after Donald Trump illegally stripped the area of protection.
- Introduced legislation to safeguard the people and cultural sites of Chaco Canyon from oil and gas drilling
- Introduced legislation to secure traditional use access in the creation of a Cerra de la Olla Wilderness within the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument.
- Cosponsored a bill to stop leasing in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Haaland has been an outspoken supporter of the Gwich'in peoples, who consider the refuge sacred.
- Introduced a resolution to protect 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030 to fight climate change and stop extinction, now a national goal outlined by executive order.
- Cosponsored a bill to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, an important tool for mitigating climate change, and the Great American Outdoors Act.
- Supports pausing oil and gas leasing on public lands
- Introduced legislation to make parks and monuments more welcoming by removing racist, anti-Indigenous and offensive names from public spaces.
“If confirmed, I will work my heart out for everyone.”
— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) February 23, 2021
—@DebHaalandNM, President Biden’s nominee to be our next Secretary of the Interior pic.twitter.com/9bPwVE1ZrW
#2 - Public lands will no longer be valued based solely on what comes out of them, but also on what they can store -- namely carbon. Haaland has long recognized the role of oil and gas drilling on public lands in driving the climate crisis and has embraced the scientific consensus that lands and waters must be part of the climate solution. She recognizes the value of responsible renewable energy development on public lands. Conservation is back in the DOI mission statement (literally), as is new language about the role of public lands in addressing societal challenges. Haaland has shown a commitment to both. Under her leadership, the role of public lands would be vastly different moving forward.
Haaland’s Record:
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