Trey Pollard trey.pollard@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Prompted by more than a dozen investigations into his behavior and actions -- including one that has been sent to the Department of Justice -- Donald Trump announced that Ryan Zinke is out at the Department of the Interior this morning. While serving, Zinke led the largest attack on America’s public lands and waters in history eliminating protections for more than 2 million acres of public lands and opening up all our coasts for oil and gas drilling
David Bernhardt, the likely Acting Secretary, and person who has helped Zinke every step along the way has extensive connections to more than a dozen companies with business before the Department.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
"Our national parks and public lands are America’s best idea, but letting Ryan Zinke devastate them was one of the worst ideas yet by the Trump Administration. Our public lands should be protected for every person to enjoy and explore, but the best thing Ryan Zinke has ever done to protect them is resign. Rather than working across the aisle and across the country to preserve our country’s natural legacy, Zinke will be remembered for his corrupt behavior and his constant attacks on the lands, waters and wildlife that we all hold dear. He has proven clearly he has no business holding public office ever again.
“The Senate must not allow any more of our public lands and waters to be sacrificed to corporate polluters. Zinke’s successor must be someone who respects the mission of the Department of the Interior, so they can get to work fixing the damage Zinke has done and start actually protecting our lands like the public expects. David Bernhardt, the fossil fuel lobbyist who has been Zinke’s right-hand man throughout his disgraced tenure and who is set to oversee the department now, is absolutely not that person.”
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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.