Zinke cites 'environmental disaster' in sending park police to border

[DonViejo]

BY MIRANDA GREEN - 06/03/18 10:30 AM EDT

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is doubling down on his decision to send law enforcement officers from his department, including from the National Park Service and U.S. Park Police, to help apprehend illegal immigrants along the U.S., Mexico border.

In a string of interviews this week, Zinke heavily promoted his decision to send 22 officers to patrol two national parks in Arizona and Texas — a move first reported by The Hill in early May.

Speaking to Fox Business News on Thursday, Zinke called the state of the border an “environmental disaster.” He cited strewn needles and garbage on park land at the border and habitat destruction as reasons why he was deploying U.S. Park Police (USPP) and National Park Service (NPS) officers.

“It’s unfettered and we need to shut the border down for a number of reasons,” Zinke said. “I’m in charge of our federal lands. I’m a steward...and now all of a sudden our agents are down at the southern border you know what you have to look at? Needles.” Zinke’s efforts have drawn criticism from Democrats who say it is a political stunt.

“This is not within the purview of Interior,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva (Ariz), the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. “It’s a ridiculous idea but the motivation is political pure and simple, it has nothing to do with safety or enforcement. And it certainly doesn’t enhance the mission of the Park Service.”

more
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/390257-zinke-cites-environmental-disaster-in-sending-park-police-to-border

[Ohiogal]

1. "I'm a steward of our Federal Lands..."