Washington, DC – President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly chosen Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers as his nominee for Secretary of the Interior, a position that holds great significance for the tens of millions of hunters, anglers, bird watchers, paddlers and other outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts across the country.
Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“The Secretary of Interior oversees the management of more than 500 million acres of public lands, hundreds of National Parks and Wildlife Refuges, and millions of nautical square miles of oceans. These public trust resources annually serve hundreds of millions of hunters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts and serve as the backbone of America’s $646 billion outdoor economy, which supports more than six million jobs.

“Throughout the campaign, President-elect Trump campaigned vigorously for the vote of America’s hunters and anglers, pledging to honor the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt and to keep America’s public lands in public hands. In states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, the votes from hundreds of thousands sportsmen and women helped the President-elect win these crucial states.

“Hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts across America expect the Trump administration to fulfill these promises and the most important position charged with doing so is the Secretary of Interior. During the confirmation process, the millions of members of the National Wildlife Federation are expecting Rep. McMorris Rodgers to articulate a commitment to oppose large-scale transfer of public lands, improve public land management, increase access for outdoor recreation, recover at-risk wildlife populations, reclaim degraded lands, expand wildlife-friendly energy development, advance climate-smart conservation, and strengthen relationships with tribes. We also look forward to hearing how Rep. McMorris Rodgers will balance energy development and mineral extraction with the imperative of ensuring that wildlife and natural resources are protected and remain accessible to the American people.”