Nevada Residents Respond to Zinke’s Public Lands Recommendations

Reno, NV-- Last night, a leaked Department of the Interior report made public by the Washington Post unveiled the appalling truth behind Secretary Zinke’s public land recommendations. The document’s vague, yet startling recommendations call for a shrinking and fragmentation of Nevada’s Gold Butte National Monument. The recommendations signal a complete disregard for more than 2.8 million public comments -- 98% urging to maintain the current and future protections for national monuments across the country.

In response, Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter Director Brian Beffort issued the following statements:

“This recommendation is a direct attack on decades of work invested by local communities. Gold Butte monument-- once a part of the official reservation of Moapa Paiutes-- is steeped in rich archeological and cultural resources, sensitive wildlife habitats, and amazing natural beauty that everyone deserves to experience. The Paiutes and many others in the region have been fighting for its designation and continued protection for decades.

“Reducing this Nevadan gem is unprecedented and a danger to its protected nature. While Zinke uses politics to roll back land protections, the damage to come from vandalism and destruction to other fragile resources on this sensitive landscape will prove devastating and irreversible.

“Zinke has disrespected the communities he has sworn to serve. We will continue to work to defend these places for this and future generations.”