Photo courtesy of Architect of the U.S. Capitol
In 2019, we’re looking forward to a wave of pro-conservation and pro-public lands elected officials being sworn in and setting to work on policies that will protect our public lands, water, and wildlife. Many of these new leaders made their support for these cherished places and opposition to Trump’s and Zinke’s attacks on them central to their campaigns, proving that support for our nation’s public lands is just good politics.
Here are some highlights of the new leadership that we are expecting to advance good public lands policy in the coming year:
Representative Raúl Grijalva (AZ-3) will return to Congress and chair the House Committee on Natural Resources. He has consistently campaigned on public lands issues and is the leading voice in the House on natural resources issues, as well as a champion for protection of public lands.
In Colorado, Democrat Jared Polis was elected governor, vowing to continue his long-standing efforts to protect the state’s vast public lands, touting their important role as economic drivers in the burgeoning outdoor economy. Governor-elect Polis has vowed to be an “evangelist” for growth of the outdoor tourism and recreation economy.
Nevada elected Democrat Jacky Rosen to the U.S. Senate. In Congress, Rosen has championed Nevada’s monuments and been vocally supportive of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is supported by 84 percent of Nevadans. Senator Rosen will be more likely to support Sierra Club conservation priorities in both Washoe and Clark counties, where the county commissions have proposed legislation that would sell off federally managed public lands for development.
Democrat Debra Haaland (NM-1) will be one of the first two Native American women ever to serve in Congress. She criticized Trump’s attacks on Bears Ears National Monument and has advocated for stronger protections for the Chaco Canyon region. Michelle Lujan Grisham will serve as New Mexico’s Governor, flipping the seat from Republican to Democratic. She has committed to implementing a state methane rule and supports our renewable-portfolio-standard bill being slated for the upcoming legislative session.
The Sierra Club was proud to support Stephanie Garcia Richard, the new lands commissioner for the state of New Mexico, who has vowed to protect public lands for all users and transition to renewable energy production.
The Sierra Club was also proud to support two Navajo leaders who were successfully elected to the San Juan County Commission, Willie Grayeyes and Kenneth Maryboy. They have been leaders of the effort to protect and defend Bears Ears National Monument and now have this powerful platform to continue that defense, making up the majority of the three-person commission.
We look forward to these new elected officials pushing back on Trump’s wildly unpopular and unprecedented attacks on our public lands. Voters across the country, including in conservative, energy-producing districts, continue to support protections for these cherished places. We are excited to work with these new leaders to restore protections for our public lands, our environment and our communities!