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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">
For Release: December 15, 2016
<br><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"></p><div style="text-align:center"><b>Statement from Matthew Koehler, Director of the WildWest Institute, on President Elect Donald Trump’s Nomination of Rep Ryan Zinke as Secretary of Interior
</b></div><br><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Rep Ryan Zinke has an established track record of being pro-coal, pro-fracking, pro-logging, anti-science and anti-endangered species act when it comes to managing America’s public lands and wildlife. This has earned Zinke an environmental voting record of 3% from the League of Conservation Voters and a National Parks voting record of just 9% from the National Parks Conservation Association.  <br><br>

Let’s also not forget that Rep Zinke was just hand picked by President-elect Donald Trump, someone who is clearly assembling the most anti-environmental, anti-public lands, pro-oil and gas and pro-wall street cabinet and administration in U.S. History.

<br><br>To think that Congressman Ryan Zinke is going to be a strong advocate for America’s public lands, our national parks and fish and wildlife species – and not just do the bidding of his boss, Donald Trump and campaign contributors in the resource extraction industry – is simply delusional, and not being honest with the American public. 

<br><br>Simply because someone has stated that they would not sell-off, or give away, America’s public lands, does not in any way make that person a huge public lands champion, or a “Teddy Roosevelt Republican” especially when the voting record clearly exposes the truth. 

<br><br>More information: Matthew Koehler, 406-396-0321, <a href="mailto:koehler@wildrockies.org">koehler@wildrockies.org</a>, <a href="http://www.wildwestinstitute.org">http://www.wildwestinstitute.org</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">------------------------<br><br>Here's what some of the most well-respected, mainstream environmental groups in America are saying about Trump's nomination of Rep Ryan Zinke.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE SAYS INTERIOR NOMINEE ZINKE POSES SERIOUS THREAT TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a href="http://www.defenders.org/press-release/interior-nominee-zinke-poses-serious-threat-wildlife-conservation">http://www.defenders.org/press-release/interior-nominee-zinke-poses-serious-threat-wildlife-conservation</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">SIERRA CLUB CRITICIZES ZINKE NOMINATION FOR DOI, STRONGLY URGES SENATORS TO OPPOSE NOMINATION:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a href="http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/12/sierra-club-criticizes-zinke-nomination-doi">http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/12/sierra-club-criticizes-zinke-nomination-doi</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">NRDC: ZINKE'S RECORD FALLS FAR SHORT AND ADDS TO TRUMP'S FOSSIL FUEL CABINET</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a href="https://www.nrdc.org/media/2016/161215">https://www.nrdc.org/media/2016/161215</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Center for Biological Diversity Statement on Ryan Zinke as Trump's Choice for Interior Secretary:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a href="http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2016/ryan-zinke-12-13-2016.php">http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2016/ryan-zinke-12-13-2016.php</a></p><div><br></div>

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