WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Yesterday, the National Park Service reversed bans on disposable water bottles in National Parks-- another reversal of an Obama-era environmental policy. The ban originally was placed as an effort to increase the agency’s sustainability efforts and reduce carbon emissions.
In response, Sierra Club’s public lands policy director Athan Manuel released the following statement:
“Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke’s recent decision to remove a ban on plastic water bottles in our National Parks is clearly an industry-oriented move further emphasizing where this administration’s allegiances stand.
“Actions that rollback protections on our National Parks and public lands only move our country backward-- putting the importance of local economies, wildlife and communities on the back burner. The reversal is but a symbol for this administration’s larger attacks on environmental safeguards and protection of public lands.
“Our National Parks have and should continue serving as an example of how to treat our natural environment. This action is in clear contradiction to this agency’s mission of protecting the planet.””