One recent Trump policy move that I find particularly egregious is the greed-driven assault on our public lands. Outdoor retailer Patagonia had it exactly right when it proclaimed in bold type on its homepage, “The President Stole Your Land.”
By shrinking two national monuments in Utah (Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante) by some 2 million acres, Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke are effectively giving wilderness that belongs to all Americans to extractive industries that will maul and mutilate these national treasures for short-term economic gain.
They’re starting in Utah, but other treasured monuments — and even national parks — are sure to follow. Imagine open pit mines, vast clear-cuts or extensive commercial development inside Mount Rainier, North Cascades or Olympic national parks. Under this administration, it’s not difficult to imagine at all.
People who care about public lands — who enjoy fishing or hunting, hiking or wildlife watching — need to fight this theft with as much energy and creativity as possible. Locally, Conservation Northwest is leading the charge to save treasured places, and I wholeheartedly support its efforts.
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I urge everyone to read up on this topic and get involved — before any more of our land is stolen.
Ken Bennett, Bainbridge Island