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Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard
U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said on Thursday he has sent recommendations from his review of more than two dozen national monuments to President Donald Trump, indicating that some could be scaled back to allow for more hunting and fishing and economic development.
The recommendations follow a 120-day study of 27 national monuments across the country, created by presidents since 1996, that Trump ordered in April as part of his broader effort to increase development on federal lands.
The review has cheered energy, mining, ranching and timber advocates but has drawn widespread criticism and threats of lawsuits from conservation groups and the outdoor recreation industry.
There were fears that Zinke would recommend the outright elimination of some of the monuments on the list, but on Thursday, speaking to the Associated Press in Billings, Montana, he said he will not recommend eliminating any.
Zinke said in a statement that the recommendations would "provide a much needed change for the local communities who border and rely on these lands for hunting and fishing, economic development, traditional uses, and recreation." He did not specify which monuments he plans to recommend be scaled back.
The Associated Press reported that Zinke said he would recommend changing the boundaries for a "handful" of sites.
If you're taking millions of acres off the table for one site, you fail at knowing the definition of a monument.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-interior-monuments-idUSKCN1B41YA
Also at RT, CNN, The Washington Post and The Hill.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Phoenix666 on Friday September 01 2017, @11:47PM
TFA didn't have a full list of which national monuments they're talking about. The specifics matter. TFA did mention the Missouri Breaks in Montana not being included on the list of those facing reductions; i was not aware that area had that designation and can't honestly say it deserves it. It's nice and all and so thick with game you could shoot randomly in any direction and get your limit for the season, but it's nowhere near what you have in other parts of the West.
There are other parts of the West that should have that designation, but don't. The stretch between the eastern entrance to Zion National Park and the western edge of the Dixie National Forest is as gorgeous as Zion but the locals have scarred it up with ATVs. It's really a testament to how familiarity can breed contempt. Imagine letting the locals use the Grand Canyon as a landfill because it's just the stupid big hole they see out their window everyday and you begin to see why places like that need federal protection.
On the other hand there are mines in death valley, but it is undiminished nevertheless. Specifics matter.
Washington DC delenda est.