VVF Statement on Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland's visit to Bears Ears National Monument

Washington, D.C. — Today Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland will visit Bears Ears National Monument as part of the Biden Administration’s National Monuments Review. In reaction to the secretary’s visit, Vet Voice Foundation’s Mary Kaszynski released the following statement:

“What a breath of fresh air it is to have a Secretary of the Interior who believes in safe-guarding our nation’s treasured public lands and wildspaces. Today, with her visit to Bears Ears, Secretary Haaland continued the Biden Administration fulfillment campaign promises and the undoing of the disastrous policies of the Trump Administration. 

“As the daughter of two military veterans, Secretary Haaland appreciates the connection between veterans and military families and our public lands. As the first Native person to serve as Interior Secretary, she truly understands the importance of protecting places special to all, but sacred to Native communities. As a public lands advocate, she fully recognizes that the Biden Administration’s agenda for our public lands, particularly the 30×30 plan and the pause on oil and gas leases on our federal lands, are supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans.  

“We applaud the Biden Administration and especially Secretary Haaland for today’s visit and look forward to the Biden Administration restoring protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. We’re off to a great start. There’s still a tremendous amount to do. We’re at the ready to continue elevating the voices of veterans and military families to ensure our public lands can be enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.”