Keeping the 'Public' in Public Lands

摘要

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) touches more lives in more ways than any other federal agency. Currently led by Secretary Ryan Zinke, the agency manages one-fifth of the land in the United States, including our national parks, wildlife refuges, and the delivery of water and power in the West. We have entrusted Secretary Zinke and DOI with the care of wildlife, fish, waterways, and land for the benefit of us all. By the law of nature, certain things are common to all mankind. This idea has ancient roots, beginning in Greek and Roman civil law. It is embedded in the statutes the U.S. Congress has passed governing the management of public lands and waters. As trustee, Secretary Zinke is accountable to us-the beneficiaries of the trust-to show that he has managed them for the common good. So, how is he doing? DOI's website promotes its stewardship role. Quoting President Donald Trump, the website proclaims, "We have to be great stewards of this land. This is magnificent land." Zinke's actions, however, fail to live up to these words.