Last month President Obama nominated Sally Jewell for the post of Secretary of the Interior, but she must first be confirmed by the Senate and her hearing is scheduled for March 7th. The Department of the Interior is central to much of the work that we do here at American Whitewater, and the Secretary has critical oversight over many of the projects we are engaged in across the country.
Among the programs housed within the Department of Interior are, USGS (and all those gaging stations), National Park Service (and classic rivers like the Grand Canyon of the Colorado and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison), Bureau of Land Management (managing many of the West's classic multi-day trips like the Deschutes, John Day, Owyhee, Westwater, and Rogue), the Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program (providing technical assistance for river access projects and representing recreational interests in hydropower licensing), and Wild and Scenic Rivers across the country (including the Niobrara, Flathead, Obed, and St. Croix).
While the role of Secretary typically goes to a Western politician, we are excited to see the President nominate Sally Jewell, a great leader who has worked directly with American Whitewater and is familiar with our program work. As an individual who spends much of her free time in recreational pursuits that include paddling, hiking, climbing, and skiing, she understands the interests of the millions of Americans who participate in outdoor recreation, as well as the economic significance of this $646 billion outdoor recreation industry. Her experience is not limited to outdoor recreation however, and as a petroleum engineer who has worked in the oil and gas and banking industries, she has a direct understanding of the natural resources our public lands provide. Sally is the type of leader who asks thoughtful questions, listens to all sides, and seeks balanced solutions. We have directly witnessed her leadership style in action and are excited to see her considered for this important position.
HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Tell your senators that you support Sally Jewell. Even if you know your Senator is supporting her nomination, these letters are extremely helpful and appreciated. We have set up a letter template to help get you started through the Outdoor Alliance.
Use your social media networks to encourage others to show their support. Join the ConfirmSallyJewell Facebook page.