Cortez Masto Visits Basin and Range, Calls on Secretary Zinke to Protect National Monuments

Caliente, Nev. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto released the following statement calling on Interior Secretary Zinke to protect the state’s national monuments after visiting Nevada’s Basin and Range National Monument:

“With its stunning desert landscapes filled with Joshua trees, wild desert animals and rock art created by Native Americans over thousands of years, Basin and Range exemplifies our rich archaeological history and cultural heritage. It is a place Nevadans are fortunate to experience and explore, to give us a glimpse of our nation’s past and to appreciate the stark beauty of our public lands. It’s designation as a national monument was a necessary and important step to protect our state’s legacy for generations to come, and it has been a source of economic revenue for the state, generating millions each year and giving a much needed boost to rural communities.

“No president has ever called into question our national monuments until President Trump, and I urge Secretary Zinke to remove Nevada’s national monuments from his list of sites under review. Our state greatly benefits from our vast public lands and Nevadans have been united in opposition to revoking our national monuments – to defend our history and legacy.”

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