Center for Biological Diversity

For Immediate Release, April 19, 2017

Contact: Randi Spivak, (310) 779-4894, rspivak@biologicaldiversity.org

Public Lands Foe Jason Chaffetz Announces Retirement From Congress

WASHINGTON— Responding to today's announcement by U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) that he will not run for re-election or seek any public office in 2018, the Center for Biological Diversity hailed the retirement of this longtime foe of America's public lands and endangered species.

“Everyone who loves America's public lands and wildlife will breathe easier once Rep. Chaffetz leaves Congress,” said Randi Spivak, director of the Center's public lands program. “Chaffetz is among the most aggressive members of Congress bent on privatizing and developing some of our country's most iconic and cherished wildlands, and he has voted against protecting endangered species at every opportunity.”

Chaffetz is ranked as one of the top 15 federal lawmakers plotting to seize, destroy and privatize America's public lands. Earlier this year he reintroduced his bill to sell 3.3 million acres of public lands, but withdrew it after massive public opposition. During his political career, the former coal executive accepted at least $147,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.2 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

www.biologicaldiversity.org

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