Cortez Masto prods Trump nominee to wade into tussle over wildlife refuge

WASHINGTON — Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) pressed a Trump administration nominee on Wednesday to weigh in on a controversial plan that would downsize Nevada’s Desert National Wildlife Refuge.

Cortez Masto pushed to secure a commitment from Robert Wallace — Trump’s pick to be the Interior Department’s assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks — to look into the land dispute.

At issue is the Air Force’s plan to expand its bombing range north of Las Vegas. The military wants to add more than 300,000 acres to the Nevada Test and Training Range. Most of it would come from the adjacent land at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, which provides habitat and protection for the iconic desert bighorn sheep.

Nevada state lawmakers recently passed a resolution opposing the plan. Environmental groups, off-road enthusiasts and tribal groups have also come out against the expansion.

Read more: https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2019/06/06/cortez-masto-prods-trump-nominee-to-wade-into-tussle-over-wildlife-refuge/