Christian Gerlach christian.gerlach@sierraclub.org, (702) 271-6485
Las Vegas, NV-- Today, Sec. of the Interior Zinke unveiled his appalling National Monuments recommendation for Gold Butte National Monument. His calls for a shrinking of Gold Butte National Monument-- leaving the land vulnerable for more development-- changes that will damage this unique and irreplaceable landscape. The recommendations signal a complete disregard for more than 2.8 million public comments that came in during a review period -- 98% of which urged the administration to maintain the current and future protections for Gold Butte National Monument and other 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.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.