Zinke signs order to expand recreational opportunities

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has ordered his agency to expand recreational opportunities on public lands and waterways. An order signed Wednesday directs the Bureau of Land Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies to develop plans within 90 days that focus on expanding recreational opportunities. The order also directs bureau heads to designate a full-time employee to oversee recreation. Zinke said the order follows through on his oft-stated goal to “refocus on Interior’s long-standing but recently forgotten recreation mission.” Americans are fortunate to have “amazing public lands and waters to carry out our tradition of outdoor recreation,” Zinke said. But he said the Interior Department must continue to create opportunities to increase access. Zinke named senior adviser Rick May to oversee recreational policy across the department. The order follows one Zinke signed in September to expand hunting and fishing on federal lands. He said it would improve wildlife management and conservation...MORE