Catherine Cortez Masto on Environment

Applauds EPA funding to protect Nevada's surface water

Supported by League of Conservation Voters

Nevada was one of the few bright spots for Democrats last November. Clinton won the presidential vote there by 2 points, while Cortez Masto won her marquee Senate race by 3 points.

The LCV's support for Rosen could turn into financial gain, as the group will help to direct supporters to donate to her campaign. The LCV helped channel six-figure donations to 10 separate Senate candidates last year, including $500,000 toward Cortez Masto's bid.

Endorsed by Sierra Club for protecting Nevada's public lands

"The Sierra Club shares my priorities of protecting and preserving Nevada's public lands for future generations," said Catherine Cortez Masto. "Their support highlights a clear contrast between myself and my opponent, Congressman Heck. While I am dedicated to ensuring Nevada's lands are protected and our natural resources are utilized to create clean, sustainable jobs, Congressman Heck supports taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil."

Keep restrictive rules for predator control in Alaska.

Library of Congress Summary: This joint resolution nullifies the rule finalized by the Department of the Interior on Aug. 5, 2016, relating to non-subsistence takings of wildlife and public participation and closure procedures on National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska.

Case for voting YES by House Republican Policy Committee: The Fish and Wildlife Service rule--which lays claim to more than 20% of Alaska--violates ANILCA (Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act) and the Alaska Statehood Compact. Not only does [the existing 2016 rule] undermine Alaska's ability to manage fish and wildlife upon refuge lands, it fundamentally destroys a cooperative relationship between Alaska and the federal government.

Case for voting NO by the Sierra Club (April 6, 2017):

• President Trump signed H.J. Res. 69, overturning the rule that banned "predator control" on federal wildlife refuges in Alaska unless "based on sound science in response to a conservation concern."
• Any rule mentioning "sound science" is in trouble under a Trump administration.
• So what kinds of practices will the Trump administration now allow on our federal wildlife refuges? Activities that include shooting or trapping wolves while in their dens with pups, or hunting for grizzly bears from airplanes.
• It's all about ensuring a maximum yield of prey species like elk, moose, and caribou for the real apex predator: humans. So if having more elk requires killing wolf pups in their dens, then so be it.
• The Obama administration's rule (which Trump revoked) never tried to stop all hunting. Subsistence hunting was still allowed. What's changed is that the predators on federal wildlife refuges are now under the control of the state of Alaska. And that makes them prey.