Nearly two-thirds of Montanans disapprove of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s efforts to scale back protections for public lands and national monuments, a rebuke of the ex-Congressman by his former constituents that tracks with a Western Values Project poll last year finding similar results.
A new University of Montana poll found that 62 percent of Montanans disapprove of Zinke’s anti-public lands review and his recommendations to reduce the size of national monuments, including Bears Ears and the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Utah.
Similarly, a Western Values Project poll last year found that Zinke’s former constituents were strongly opposed to anti-public lands and national monuments efforts, with 68 percent of Montanans disapproving of his plans to scale back public lands and 75 percent against privatizing public campgrounds at America’s national parks. The polling came in advance of a six-figure television and digital ad campaign in Montana reminding residents of Zinke’s anti-public lands crusade.
“Montanans are sending Secretary Zinke a clear signal that the anti-public lands agenda being pursued by this administration is antithetical to Montanan values,” said Jayson O’Neill, Deputy Director of the Western Values Project. “Public lands and maintaining protections for those lands are a part of Montana’s way of life and heritage — and efforts to scale back their protections will not be tolerated by the families, small businesses, and rural communities that rely on public lands for their economic well-being and enjoyment.”
The University of Montana poll also found Representative Greg Gianforte’s approval rating 29 points underwater. A Western Values Project poll last month found a strong disconnect on public lands between Representative Gianforte and his constituents, with a clear majority (39% support/61% oppose) opposing efforts to reduce the size of national monuments and give presidents greater power to lift protections for public lands.
Also published on Medium.