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Interior Sec. Zinke Visits Oregon National Monument

MEDFORD, OR -- Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke visited Oregon over the weekend to gather information for his review of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. President Trump ordered the review of all National Monuments created since 1996. The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument was created by President Clinton in 2000, and enlarged by President Obama last year. It now covers nearly 135,000 acres.

 

Secretary Zinke was given a hiking tour by BLM officials. He also met with Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou Monument, the timber industry, ranchers and snowmobilers. He said he wants to hear from all sides before making any recommendation. His meetings also included Governor Kate Brown, the Soda Mountain Wilderness Council, Klamath Tribes and Jackson County Commissioners.

 

Earlier in the week, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum threatened a lawsuit if the Trump Administration attempts to change the monument. She says the Antiquities Act gives the President the authority to declare a monument, but not change or revoke it. She says extensive public input was received before the monument was declared and concerns by opponents led to 14,000 acres being cut from the original plan. President Obama expanded the monument in his final days in office. Two timber companies sued to block that expansion. Those suits are on hold until the Trump Administration review is complete. 

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