Don't Let Our National Monuments Be Exploited For Drilling, Logging, and Mining
- by: WWF
- recipient: Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke
Carrizo Plain National Monument is known for its beautiful wildflower blooms. Gold Butte for its swirling red rock and threatened Mojave Desert tortoises. Giant Sequoia for its ancient forests that are home for abundant wildlife including bears and the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.
These are just 3 of the 27 irreplaceable national monuments that President Trump has tasked Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke with reviewing. The review takes into consideration whether these important landscapes can be exploited for activities such as drilling, logging, and mining.
These land and seascapes are not only important for wildlife habitat and ecosystem services; they also power the engines for the recreation and outdoor economies.
National monuments have already undergone robust review processes for community input. Traditional uses by local communities, like grazing, were preserved. All the lands that have been elevated to monument status were already public lands held in trust for Americans and managed by federal or state governments.
To date, no president in our nation's history has rescinded any national monument designation.
Sign the petition and tell Secretary Zinke: I support our national monuments. They are the keystone of our nation's natural and cultural heritage and American history. Please protect all national monuments and reject any changes to the monuments under review by the Departments of Interior and Commerce.
Dear Secretary Zinke,
I support our national monuments. They are the keystone of our nation's natural and cultural heritage and American history. Please protect all national monuments and reject any changes to the monuments under review by the Departments of Interior and Commerce.
Congress enacted and President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law in 1906. Since then, 16 presidents—eight Democrats and eight Republicans—and many Congresses have used the Antiquities Act to protect some of the most beautiful and unique places on earth. These land and seascapes are not only important for wildlife habitat and ecosystem services; they also power the engines for the recreation and outdoor economies.
These monuments have already once undergone robust review processes for community input. Traditional uses by local communities, like grazing, were preserved. All the lands that have been elevated to monument status were already public lands held in trust for Americans and managed by federal or state governments.
No president and no administration have previously rescinded a monument designation. It is your duty as Secretary of Interior to continue the American legacy of protecting these special places for generations to come. Protect our national monuments and all our public lands.
[Your Comment]
Thank you, [Your Name]
