The National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NBCA) and the Public Lands Council have welcomed news that the US Senate has approved Ryan Zinke’s appointment by 68 to 31 votes.
The former navy seal will be sworn in later on Wednesday 1 March.
“This is great news for America’s ranchers and cattle producers,” said NCBA president Craig Uden.
“Ryan Zinke has an outstanding record advocating for Western communities and ranchers, and for the real inclusion of stakeholders’ voices in the decisions that affect them. We look forward to working with Secretary Zinke to restore common sense and balance on issues like public lands management, conservation, and endangered species.”
Zinke ‘understands’ the challenges
Zinke’s role as Secretary of the Interior will see him manage all federal lands and natural resources.
Public Lands Council president Dave Eliason said the appointment would benefit American cattle ranchers.
“Secretary Zinke is from the west and understands the unique challenges faced by communities with a large federal footprint,” he said in a statement.
“We look forward to working with him and his staff at the Department of the Interior to restore the role of local input in planning and review processes, fix laws like the Endangered Species Act, and protect grazing rights that are so critical to western economies.”
Zinke will manage a federal department with a budget of around $20bn and 70,000 employees.
He replaces Sally Jewell who served as Secretary of the Interior during the Obama administration.