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For Immediate Release, February 6, 2013 Contact: Bill Snape, (202) 536-9351 Center for Biological Diversity Statement on Nomination of Sally Jewell for Interior Secretary TUCSON, Ariz.— Kierán Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, released the following statement today on President Obama’s nomination of Sally Jewell as the next secretary of the Interior. “America’s public lands and endangered species are in dire need of visionary leadership. We hope Sally Jewell brings the same determination and transparency to running the Department of the Interior as she did to REI. “The next Interior secretary will face monumental tasks in protecting species, preserving public lands, safeguarding clean air and water and preserving a healthy climate for future generations. “It’s vital that our oceans, forests, deserts and rivers are protected and preserved and not turned over to big businesses looking to make a profit from our publicly owned resources. We hope that Jewell shows brave leadership in finally addressing the climate crisis, reversing the tide of species extinctions and protecting wild lands that are vital to wildlife and people alike. “It’s clear the secretary of the Interior nominee has a passion for national parks, but the challenge is whether she will value our wildlands and wildlife in the face of endless pressure by industry to drill for fossil fuels in areas within Interior’s jurisdiction. If she can stand strong against bad ideas such as Arctic oil drilling and fracking on public lands, then she will likely be a success. Nature needs a true champion at this point in history.” The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 450,000 members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. |
