Interior Dept. Official who Spoke Out in Favor of Alaska Natives Resigns

Here from WaPo. HuffPo.

Here is his resignation letter: Letter

Here is his whistleblower complaint: Form 11

Prior WaPo coverage when Clement spoke out last summer.

High Country News profile here.

Is Zinke Going to Start a Ideological Purge at Interior?

Here is “Interior secretary: One-third of employees ‘not loyal to the flag’.”

What Did Zinke Just Do on National Monuments? Besides Passive Aggressively Demean Bears Ears Supporters, I Mean. (Now with “Rock Licker” Update)

Here is the press release that omits any actual recommendations. Here is the report summary that also says nothing.

But this excerpt asks us readers to assume that comments by supporters of national monuments should be ignored because they are merely statements “orchestrated” by “national . . . organizations”:

Comments received were overwhelmingly in favor of maintaining existing monuments and demonstrated a well orchestrated national campaign organized by multiple organizations.

Update: news coverage from earlier today quoting a Utah politician attacking national monument supporters as “rock lickers” — an excerpt:

Mike Noel, a Utah state representative, said that reducing or eliminating Bears Ears would be “a victory for our state.” Federal management of land in his state had constrained drilling, mining and grazing, he said, adding that Washington had no business setting aside so much land for the strict protection that monument status affords.

“When you turn the management over to the tree-huggers, the bird and bunny lovers and the rock lickers, you turn your heritage over,” Mr. Noel said.

Lawrence Roberts: “DOI Actions Underscore Need For Tribal Consultation”

Here.

High Country News: “Under Trump, tribal land ownership is not a priority”

Here.

The Onion: “Department Of Interior Asks For Resignation Of Obama-Era Elk”

Here.

WaPo: “Zinke moving dozens of senior Interior Department officials in shake-up”

Here.

DOI Consultation Notice on DOI Reorganization

Download(PDF): Tribal Listening Sessions on E.O. 13871: Reorganization of the Executive Branch

Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Michael S. Black, invites Tribal leaders to attend one of the listed listening sessions to provide input on improving “efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability” at the Department of the Interior.

DATES

Interior Secretary Meets With Ute Indian Tribe Leaders

 

Statement from the Department:

Today Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke met with leaders of the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah Ouray. The Tribal leaders and the Secretary discussed several issues including energy development, the nature of sovereignty, public lands, and the Bears Ears National Monument. The meeting was the first of many conversations. The Secretary and the Tribal leaders committed to maintaining an ongoing open and positive dialogue.

Onion: “Department Of Interior Asks For Resignation Of Obama-Era Elk”

Here.