McFeely: Major outdoors retailer REI regrets ‘mistake’ in supporting Doug Burgum – InForum

FARGO — National outdoors retailer REI says it made a mistake in supporting

former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum

as Interior Department secretary and retracted its endorsement.

The action means little now, of course, since Burgum

was confirmed as head of the Department of the Interior

and is busy implementing a vision that threatens the environment and America’s public lands, but REI’s new president says the company recognized it messed up and is committed to protecting the country’s outdoors.

In a video posted on REI’s social media channels this week,

Mary Beth Laughton said that when the company signed a letter of support with many other brands supporting Burgum’s nomination, it did so to have a “seat at the table” in shaping policy on public lands and outdoors recreation under President Donald Trump’s administration.

“Many of you shared your disappointment and frustration with that decision, and I hear you,” Laughton said, pointing out she’s only been REI president since March 31. “Let me be clear: Signing that letter was a mistake.”

“The actions that the administration has taken on public lands are completely at odds with the longstanding values of REI. While this happened before I arrived at the co-op, I am here today to apologize to our members on behalf of REI, to retract our endorsement of Doug Burgum and to take full accountability for how we move forward,” she said.

While few of Burgum’s actions can come as a surprise considering Trump’s and Republicans’ hostility toward public lands and their rhetoric about oil drilling and mining, the administration’s direction has alarmed outdoors advocates.

Trump’s administration has fired thousands of workers in national parks, implemented across-the-board spending freezes and delayed seasonal hiring.

Burgum co-wrote a Wall Street Journal column calling for the sale of public lands to create affordable housing.

“Our public lands are under attack,” Laughton said. “From the gutting of national park staff to expanded threats of drilling or even selling off our public lands, the future of life outdoors has never been as uncertain.”

Laughton said REI joined a new coalition called Brands for Public Lands, which will be led by the Conservation Alliance. Other large outdoors retailers such as Patagonia and Black Diamond are also part of the coalition.

“As part of this coalition, we have two immediate demands. First, we call for the Department of the Interior to be transparent and to consult the public on major decisions that affect our public land,” Laughton said. “And second, we call on Congress to prevent the large-scale sell-off of our public lands.”

Laughton said REI will make a re-commitment to endorsing policies instead of people.

The company operates about 180 stores in 41 states. There are several locations in the Twin Cities.

Mike McFeely is a columnist for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. He began working for The Forum in the 1980s while he was a student studying journalism at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He’s been with The Forum full time since 1990, minus a six-year hiatus when he hosted a local radio talk-show.