U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke accepts appointment to Secretary of Interior position

(AP) — President-elect Donald Trump officially chose Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke to serve as his interior secretary last week. Zinke was an early supporter of Tump and publicly sought a Cabinet post when Trump visited Montana in May.

He just won re-election to a second term as Montana’s only House member, and Republicans had mentioned him as a possible challenger to two-term Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in 2018.

Zinke, “has built one of the strongest track records on Championing regulatory relief, forest management, responsible energy development and public land issues,” Trump said in a statement. “America is the most beautiful country in the world and he is going to help keep it that way with smart management of our federal lands.”

Trump added, “at the same time, my administration’s goal is to repeal bad regulations and use our natural resources to create jobs and wealth for the American people, and Ryan will explore every possibility for how we can safely and responsibly do that.”

Zinke said he is honored by the nomination, describing himself “as someone who grew up in a logging and rail town and hiking in Glacier National Park.”

He pledged to “faithfully uphold Teddy Roosevelt’s belief that our treasured public lands are ‘for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.’ I will work tirelessly to ensure our public lands are managed and preserved in a way that benefits everyone for generations to come.”

Zinke serves on House Natural Resources and Armed Services committees, and describes himself as “a steadfast advocate for Montana veterans and military personnel and families.” He advocates greater use of public lands for energy production such as oil and natural gas. He has also advocated for state control of energy development on federal lands, a stance some environmental groups say threatens national parks.

Before being elected to Congress, Zinke served in the Montana State Senate, where he chaired the Education Committee and focused on advancing technology in the classroom, rural access to education and local control over schools.

In a written statement, Rep. elect Denley Loge, HD 14, said, “I feel Zinke can be real positive for Montana and the federal lands of the United States. The function of the job is to help build a clean energy economy, stimulate local economic growth through wise stewardship, and procure goods and services from American businesses. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gives the Interior department funds to invest in our countries economic future. Zinke has a knowledge of the needs of western United States and can help provide funding for our facilities and roads improvements and construction, help promote our safe exploration and use of natural resources and minerals, and work positively on the controversial water issues on and off the Indian reservations. All of these issues will help promote jobs in Montana and the rest of the western states. We all have an interest in the safe economic growth of Montana and still preserve the beauty our state and country has to offer. He will work hard to restore the balance needed for all users in this country to preserve, protect, enjoy, and still make a living on our public and private lands.”

The Interior Department and other U.S. agencies control almost a third of its land and even more of the underground “mineral estate” that holds vast amounts of coal, oil and natural gas. Montana holds the largest coal reserves in the nation. Kevin Chamberlain, Chairman of the Mineral County Resource Coalition said Zinke is a good man and he holds a lot of respect for him. Chamberlain has worked with him in the past and said that Zinke will be missed as our representative, “he was good for us and helped with issues we’re facing here in Mineral County.”

This was a sentiment shared by Mineral County Commissioner, Roman Zylawy who said Zinke “gets it” and that he doesn’t need to be educated about the problems facing many of the western counties regarding access to our public lands.

“He’s seen it first-hand, the dead and dying forest. He visited Tricon earlier this year and is fully aware of the challenges we are facing in Mineral County,” Zylawy said.

With nearly all of the land in Mineral County is owned by the Government, the county is restricted on its ability to attract new business and create jobs. During his run for re-election as county commissioner, he said that they have been working with the US Forest service to ensure that they offer up timber sales to keep the local lumber mill running.

— Mineral Independent Reporter Kathleen Woodford contributed to this report.