Thankfully, there are just two weeks left to go in the 2016 general election. Which begs the question: Which nominee would be better for the National Park System and National Park Service?
While Democrat Hillary Clinton did put forth a statement outlining her intention to create a trust fund for the parks, not much has been heard from Republican Donald Trump on the parks specifically.
There have been reports that Mr. Trump would support the transfer of some federal lands in the West to states, a position the Republican Party adopted at its convention this past summer. And how would his proposal to build a wall along the U.S. - Mexico border impact border parks such as Big Bend National Park, Chamizal National Memorial, Coronado National Memorial, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument?
Which candidate do you think would be best for the park system and Park Service?
Comments
There's not even a question that it would be Hillary, especially if she follows in her husband's footsteps by placing a conseravation minded individual like Bruce Babbit to head the Department of the Interior. While Hillary doesn't really excite me as a President, the choices of her cabinet are what strike my interest. I think she would create a better cabinet than Obama has over his 8 years. I just haven't been overly thrilled with the Sally Jewel era, and look forward to seeing some change... We just have not had a great DOI head since Babbit. It's rumored Trump would just dump his son into the Department of Interior. His son has no experience or comprehension about conservation, and that just seems like that would be a terrible move built strictly on nepotism. Great for the teabagging consortium and anti-public lands type, but not good for those that want to see conservation of public lands carry on into the future.
Gary, any suggestions for DOI Secretary?
Personally, i'd like to see Raul Grijalva have a shot as the Secretary of Interior.
Love to see that, too, Gary. But with Ken Salazar heading up Clinton's transition team, I'm not holding out too much hope for getting someone like Grijalva.
What about a Udall...?
Certainly like the bloodline, Kurt.
Utah Republicans would like to see someone like Rob Bishop or Cliven Bundy in the secretary's office.
I wouldn't be too upset if it was Mark Udall. He's a progressive, and a westerner, and has definitely been a large supporter of the National Park system.
It's rumored if Trump were to win, he'd also potentially tap Butch Otter - which might as well be like putting a Cliven Bundy into the slot... I'd be ticked off by that selection. I've got to experience life in Idaho under Butch Otter, and he would be a terrible choice for public lands protection. He would cater to the extraction and ranching industries, since he's their puppet, but would not do anything for conservation, and especially would attempt to undermine major parts of the ESA.