Changes coming to US protected lands, but details unknown
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Tribes, ranchers and conservationists know that none of the national monuments ordered reviewed by President Donald Trump will be eliminated, but the changes in store for the sprawling land and sea areas remain a mystery after the administration kept a list of recommendations under wraps.
That left people on all sides of the contentious debate clinging to only shreds of information and anxiously waiting for more details.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told The Associated Press that none of the 27 monuments will be rescinded. But he said he would push for boundary changes on a “handful” and left open the possibility of allowing drilling, mining or other industries on the sites.
The White House said only that it received Zinke’s recommendations Thursday, a deadline set months ago.
FILE – In this May 28, 2013, file photo, a hiker walks on a rock formation known as The Wave in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said he’s recommending that none of 27 national monuments carved from wilderness and ocean and under review by the Trump administration be eliminated, including the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. (AP Photo/Brian Witte, File)
FILE- In this undated file photo, the Upper Gulch section of the Escalante Canyons within Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument features sheer sandstone walls, broken occasionally by tributary canyons. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said he’s recommending that none of 27 national monuments carved from wilderness and ocean and under review by the Trump administration be eliminated, including the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, File)
In this Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017 photo, the Penobscot River’s East Branch flows through the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument near Patten, Maine. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke wants to retain the newly created Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in northern Maine, but said he might recommend adjustments to the White House on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
In this Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 photo, a sign marks the entrance to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument near Patten, Maine. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke wants to retain the newly created Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in northern Maine, but said he might recommend adjustments to the White House on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
In this Monday, Aug. 7, 2017 photo, the first rays of sunlight color the clouds over Mount Katahdin in this view from the Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway outside Patten, Maine. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke wants to retain the newly created national monument, but said he might recommend adjustments to the White House on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
In this Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 photo, a youngster explores the Penobscot River’s East Branch at the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument near Patten, Maine. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke wants to retain the newly created national monument, but said he might recommend adjustments to the White House on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
FILE – This May 8, 2017, file photo shows an aerial view of Arch Canyon within Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said he’s recommending that none of 27 national monuments carved from wilderness and ocean and under review by the Trump administration be eliminated, including Bears Ears National Monument. (Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP, File)
FILE – In this May 26, 2017, file photo, Susie Gelbart walks near petroglyphs at the Gold Butte National Monument near Bunkerville, Nev. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said he’s recommending that none of 27 national monuments carved from wilderness and ocean and under review by the Trump administration be eliminated including Gold Butte National Monument. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
