Ryan Zinke

"Without question, our public lands are America’s treasure and are rich in diversity. I fully recognize and appreciate that there are lands that deserve special recognition and are better managed under the John Muir model of wilderness, where man is more of an observer than an active participant."

"During the recent centennial of our National Park Service, I found myself at the ceremony at Yellowstone National Park, our first National Park established by Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. As I enjoyed the celebration under the famous Roosevelt arch, I could not help but notice the words etched in the stone at the top of the arch “For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” And, on the side of the right pillar was a plaque with the words “Created by Act of Congress.” I thought “What a perfect symbol’ of what our land policy in a Nation as great as ours should be."

"I'm a geologist, and I don't consider myself a genius, but I'm a pretty smart guy."

"And I have to say, really, talk about a very special guy that I made Secretary of the Interior. Does he know the interior — he knows it, he loves it. He loves seeing it and riding on it."

"Ryan Zinke is not, in fact, a geologist. He has never been a geologist. What he did is major in geology in college, which does not make you a geologist. All it does is qualify you to watch the movie San Andreas and whisper to your friend, "It wouldn't happen like that.""