The Corps Network and Montana Conservation Corps congratulate Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) on being confirmed as Secretary of the Interior through a 68-31 vote in the United States Senate on Wednesday, March 1, 2017.
The Corps Network, the Public Lands Service Coalition, and the Partnership for the 21stCentury Conservation Service Corps previously sent letters in support of Rep. Zinke during the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s confirmation hearing. Both The Corps Network and Montana Conservation Corps issued statements in support of his nomination in December, 2016.
Rep. Zinke, a former Navy SEAL officer, is a fifth-generation Montanan in his second term in the United States Congress. This past April, Rep. Zinke became a supporter of the 21stCentury Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) Act (H.R. 5114). He has stated his support for improving the processes through which resource management agencies partner with private entities, such as Corps, to complete projects on public lands. Rep. Zinke has also championed the Land and Water Conservation Fund and other legislation to preserve public lands and retain their public ownership.
Statement from Mary Ellen Sprenkel, CEO of The Corps Network and Co-Chair of the Partnership for the 21CSC:
“The Corps Network congratulates Rep. Zinke on his confirmation as Secretary of the Interior. Rep. Zinke was an early supporter of the 21CSC Act and believes in using public-private partnerships, like the 21CSC, to maintain and improve America’s public lands. We look forward to meeting soon with Secretary Zinke to discuss how to continue the engagement of Corps in public lands management for the benefit of our nation’s youth, veterans, and recreation and outdoor infrastructure.”
Statement from Jono McKinney, CEO and President of Montana Conservation Corps:
“Congratulations to Rep. Zinke. We hope that, as Secretary of Interior, he will engage this country’s rich array of Corps as valued partners in addressing the millions of dollars in deferred maintenance imperiling our public lands. He was an early champion and co-sponsor of the 21CSC Act, recognizing the value of leveraging the skills and enthusiasm of youth and veterans to enhance access to our public lands and improve natural resources for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
As a self-described ‘Teddy Roosevelt conservationist,’ we hope that, in his new role at Interior, Rep. Zinke recognizes the values reflected in TR’s advice that ‘Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.’ Corps embody this ideal every day by maintaining trails, combating invasive weeds, improving parks, and restoring wildlife habitat on our local, state, and federal lands.”
About The Corps Network
The Corps Network provides leadership and support to over 130 of America’s Service and Conservation Corps. Through advocacy, access to funding opportunities and expert guidance, The Corps Network annually enables more than 25,000 Corpsmembers, ages 16-25, to strengthen communities, improve the environment and transform their lives through service.
To learn more about The Corps Network, please visit www.corpsnetwork.org.
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