Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) made the following statement regarding the resignation of 9 National Park Service Advisory Board members:

"Secretary Zinke’s refusal to even meet with members of the National Park Service Advisory Board is further evidence of the Trump Administration’s disregard for our national parks.  The President still hasn’t nominated a director for the National Park Service and Secretary Zinke has proposed tripling entrance fees at our most popular national parks.  His disregard of the advisory board is just another example of why he has earned an “F” in stewardship."

“I call on Secretary Zinke to personally reach out to each member of the National Park Service Advisory Board and tell them their counsel is valued and that this Administration respects local voices.  Whether it's offshore drilling, wildlife protection, or managing our national parks, the Interior Secretary alone does not get to decide what activities happen on publicly owned lands that make up one-fifth of the United States."

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