Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) made the following statement regarding Secretary Zinke’s decision to roll back bipartisan, collaborative conservation plans:

“After spending this entire year wasting tax payer dollars on conducting a sham report to hand over our public lands to the oil and gas industry, Secretary Zinke wants to take a bi-partisan agreement to protect the sage grouse, rip it up, and turn it over to mining and petroleum companies,” said Senator Cantwell.

“Western stakeholders collaborated together on protections for sage grouse and I’m truly saddened to see the Secretary dismantle years of their bi-partisan work and putting our outdoor economy at risk.  It’s a slap in the face to the West and to Americans across the country who sat down together to build these conservation plans.” 

###