The Trump Administration has been considering taking the axe to twenty-seven national monuments and public lands across the country – and needless to say, there’s a lot of hunters, hikers, campers and other outdoors recreationists who aren’t happy. And they are starting to mobilize – like the sporting goods company Patagonia who have not been shy to make a political statement.
Western Values Project – a pro-conservation group representing “folks who live in the Rocky Mountain West” – is going after U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for looking to trim back many of the nation’s national monuments and public lands.
Western Values Project is committed to making sure that if any public lands are converted for development – or in many cases, sold to energy companies – that the deal is done with a say from taxpayers and that the development is conducted in an environmentally friendly way.
Last month the group released an ad attacking Zinke, and it may have had some effect. As of late August, he recommended that none of the twenty-seven national monuments under review by the Trump Administration be removed. Some of them may have changes to their boundaries – but they will continue to allow for public access.
The Western Values Project video begins by showing the signs at the entrances of public lands, “signs of American heritage, history and values. Signs meant to preserve public lands – forever.”
These lands have been under review, “what Ryan Zinke signs in Washington could post these signs across the west.” In bold red letters, the signs say “Keep out. Violators will be prosecuted.” The narrator continues, “Zinke is pushing a federal plan that threatens access to public lands – blocking YOU out.”
According to Western Values Project, Zinke is proposing to “privatize campgrounds in national parks.” This possible privatization “is a sign of things to come. A sign that Zinke stands with Washington. Not the West.”
Zinke publicly stated a few weeks after the video that, "I've heard this narrative that somehow the land is going to be sold or transferred, that narrative is patently false and shameful. The land was public before and it will be public after."
It looks like the public lands will stay open to the public – for now.
Western Values Project – a pro-conservation group representing “folks who live in the Rocky Mountain West” – is going after U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for looking to trim back many of the nation’s national monuments and public lands.
Western Values Project is committed to making sure that if any public lands are converted for development – or in many cases, sold to energy companies – that the deal is done with a say from taxpayers and that the development is conducted in an environmentally friendly way.
Last month the group released an ad attacking Zinke, and it may have had some effect. As of late August, he recommended that none of the twenty-seven national monuments under review by the Trump Administration be removed. Some of them may have changes to their boundaries – but they will continue to allow for public access.
The Western Values Project video begins by showing the signs at the entrances of public lands, “signs of American heritage, history and values. Signs meant to preserve public lands – forever.”
These lands have been under review, “what Ryan Zinke signs in Washington could post these signs across the west.” In bold red letters, the signs say “Keep out. Violators will be prosecuted.” The narrator continues, “Zinke is pushing a federal plan that threatens access to public lands – blocking YOU out.”
According to Western Values Project, Zinke is proposing to “privatize campgrounds in national parks.” This possible privatization “is a sign of things to come. A sign that Zinke stands with Washington. Not the West.”
Zinke publicly stated a few weeks after the video that, "I've heard this narrative that somehow the land is going to be sold or transferred, that narrative is patently false and shameful. The land was public before and it will be public after."
It looks like the public lands will stay open to the public – for now.