National Parks and Monuments should be a bipartisan issue, one that should have the support of all party affiliations. However, with the new president came a new White House website, and with it, an entirely new anti-federal land agenda. What does that mean? Open our parks and monuments to oil and gas drilling, which comes with shale.
One of the first things that happened after election night was an act of Congress to reduce the cost of sale for taxpayers of federal lands to the states at $0, which opens the door to more easily transfer federal lands over to budget-starved states. They would then go and auction off that land to private firms. Now we have a White House removing a page about climate change and the importance for America to launch action towards clean energy, wildlife/wildland preservation, to a page titled: “An America First Energy Plan.”
On this page, it is perfectly clear as to where the new administration is going with this. “For too long, we’ve been held back by burdensome regulations on our energy industry.” It calls for “eliminating” the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule. On this page you can clearly read the plan, “The Trump Administration will embrace the shale oil and gas revolution…,””especially those on federal lands that the American people own.” That’s right, we own that land. The American people own that land. It’s not for this White House or any White House to auction off to private corporations. It is #OurWild to enjoy and treasure.
There is no mention of the $646 billion outdoor recreation industry. No mention of preserving the economic benefits of federal lands on local economies. No mention of the major outdoor brands like REI joining together to oppose such efforts. It is clear where this administration stands, and further proof lay in the censoring of the EPA on communicating with the public. (Click HERE for why censoring agencies like the EPA negatively impacts us all.)
It is alarming and disheartening that the new administration is not willing to incorporate preservationists concerns into their plans. Our National Lands should be a bipartisan issue, and should not be so eagerly sold off to private shale corporations for bulldozing and drilling.
These are your lands. These are your monuments. Stand with them.
Join me in my campaign to advocate and document our National Parks, Monuments, and Historic Sites HERE.
Like, Share, Reblog this post to anyone who may care. #OurWild
UPDATE: National Park Service defies White House gag order to tweet facts on climate change! They will not be bullied into silence. #FactsMatter #OurWild
More on this gag order visit this post by Scientific American.
Badlands National Park defies tRump gag order, tweets facts!
I am in complete agreement with you. This topic has been a worry of mine for awhile. Our parks and monuments must be off limits to drilling.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your support! Stay vigilant. Our parks need us now more than ever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the work you’re doing in raising awareness about our National Parks. Thanks, too, for signing up to follow my blog
LikeLiked by 1 person