Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, under cover from the government shutdown, Ryan Zinke signed a land swap deal that will enable construction of a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. In doing so, Trump and Ryan Zinke will reverse wildlife protections that have preserved the refuge for decades.
In response, Sierra Club Our Wild America Director Lena Moffitt released the following statement:
“Ryan Zinke and Donald Trump aren’t allowing a government shutdown to stop their attacks on our wild and public places as they careen the wrong way down a one-way street by reversing decades of protection for the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Studies repeatedly show that a road through this pristine refuge will pose winter safety risks while wasting millions of taxpayers’ dollars. Rather than fragmenting this refuge, Trump and Zinke should instead review the options to provide healthcare access to King Cove residents previously proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers, and develop a solution that meets the needs of local residents while protecting Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.”
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.