Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC-- Today, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining held a hearing on several public lands bills, including the Ruby Mountains Protection Act. Sen. Cortez Masto’s legislation would permanently prohibit oil and gas leasing anywhere within the Ruby Mountains’ Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The bill marks the first piece of federal legislation to safeguard the Rubies permanently-- a landscape that has been consistently under threat from the Trump administration’s oil and gas lease sales.
In response, Brian Beffort, Director of the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, released the following statement:
“We are thrilled Sen. Cortez Masto is leading the fight to protect Nevada’s Ruby Mountains-- a place that’s cultural, recreational and ecological importance cannot be overstated. Its acres safeguard Native American history, abundant wildlife, breathtaking scenery and an entire local recreation economy.
“The Ruby Mountains need these strong and permanent protections, especially in the face of the Trump administration's relentless attack on our public lands for oil and gas development. Even places like the Rubies, which are virtually worthless in terms of oil and gas potential, but have an irreplaceable economic and natural value, are being caught up in the nonsensical rush to drill. Whether the Ruby Mountains or public lands across the country, the Trump administration must halt its blind fossil fuel-first agenda that would destroy these places and the communities that depend on them.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.