Blayne Brown
On Tuesday, January 17, 2017, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a confirmation hearing to delve into Rep. Ryan Zinke’s ability to serve as Secretary of the Department of the Interior. A Republican Congressman from Montana, Zinke is a self-described “Teddy Roosevelt Republican.” What does that mean? Where does Zinke stand on the many issues related to our public lands? His voting record is short, and often at odds with his public statements. Read on for a quick primer on Rep. Zinke and the many important questions raised by his ties to the fossil fuel industry, his actions on public land seizures, and his stance on safeguarding wildlife.
Public Lands: Rep. Zinke supports the important Land and Water Conservation Fund and talks frequently about the value of public lands. Yet he seems inclined to dismantle, rather than continue, our outdoor legacy. He recently voted to devalue our public lands, paving the way for their sell-off. While he has said he is in favor of keeping lands public, he has voted for legislation that would create state advisory committees with complete control to manage the federal lands within their jurisdiction. In essence, he supports turning lands over to the states in every way but name. During the confirmation hearing, look for him to address:
How will he explain his efforts to block new national monuments that have benefitted local communities? And to undermine one of T. Roosevelt’s signature laws, the Antiquities Act which makes such designations possible? Will he try to undo monuments that have already been designated? Most legal scholars do not believe this is an authority the Trump administration would have but would he be willing to go against the will of the local communities and tribes to test it?
Will he commit, with more than empty promises, to the future of our parks and public lands-- addressing sexual harassment, increasing funding, providing needed rangers, interpretive programs and facilities to enable ALL Americans to enjoy them?
Following the designations of national monuments like Cesar Chavez, Pullman, Sewall-Belmont and others, how will he continue the important work of telling a more inclusive story of America through our public lands?
Dirty Fuels: Zinke’s connections to the fossil fuel industry raise serious concerns about his ability to manage America’s public lands for multiple interests. A new report out from the current Department of the Interior calls for increased coal royalty rates, climate offsets, and even using royalties to help coal communities transition. Will Zinke agree with the findings? Or will those calls fall on deaf ears given Zinke’s opposition to fixing the coal leasing program, and his support for mining, drilling and fracking. Of course the devil is in the details when it comes to balancing energy development, outdoor recreation, wildlife, water and other interests on public lands, and so far while Zinke’s public comments have touted public lands, his votes have pushed dirty fuels. Senators should push the Congressman to take a position on the many outstanding questions related to energy on our public lands, including:
Does he believe the Bureau of Land Management has a duty to make sure natural gas from public lands is not wasted through leaks and flares, through measures like the BLM’s methane rule?
What are his plans to increase the development and leasing of public lands to appropriately site and produce clean, renewable energy?
Will he listen to local communities opposed to new offshore drilling, that threatens local ecosystems and tourist economies - in places such as the Atlantic, the Arctic and Pacific Oceans?
How would he ensure the protection of the rights of sovereign tribal nations in the face of unwanted fossil fuel infrastructure expansion?
Will he ensure that oil and gas drilling and coal mining on our federal lands are kept out of our most sensitive lands: our national parks, wilderness areas, wildlife refuges, coasts, and most treasured landscapes?
Endangered Species: Though public lands often hog the spotlight, the Department of the Interior also plays a critical role in the administration of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Will Rep. Zinke allow decisions to be based on science, allowing federal scientists to do their job? Or will he, as his voting record indicates, continue to inject politics into the management of endangered American wildlife species? As pressures from climate change and development mount, how, or if, the safety net provided by the ESA is deployed could significantly alter the web of life.
Will he defend all wildlife, not just beloved animals, by protecting public lands that make up their habitat?
Does he actually believe, as the majority of Americans do, that preserving wildlife and preventing extinction is a fundamental American value? If so, will he back that with needed funding?
Will he continue the balanced, science-based approach to protect the sage grouse?
Climate Change: A changing climate is the number one threat facing our national public lands. Increased wildfires, dwindling water supplies, and habitat disruption all pose an existential threat to the communities that rely on our public lands as well as the plants and animals that dwell there.
What is Rep. Zinke’s view on climate change? How will his management of public lands reflect this and prepare for its inevitable impacts?
Does he consider it paramount to consider the impacts of climate change on communities and the environment when making decisions regarding the management of public lands, including leasing decisions for fossil fuel extraction?
Will he continue to support important efforts underway by agencies to gather and disseminate critical information about climate change, and its impacts on communities and our environment?
Conservation Funding: Rep. Zinke is a cosponsor of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. However, the Trump administration and Congress are filled with many opponents of this program and many ideologues who do not believe any money should be spent to acquire new national lands. Will he advocate for full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund? Will he defend the program and continue to use it to preserve vital lands and waters?
Time will tell. Senators should demand answers to these important questions on Tuesday and hold Rep. Zinke accountable for working against the public interests when it comes to our public lands and wildlife. Join us in urging Senators to oppose the nomination of Rep. Zinke to head the Department of the Interior. And follow @SierraClub on Twitter for updates from all of the confirmation hearings next week.