The new Park Service head once allowed a billionaire to chop down 130 protected trees

The new acting head of the National Park Service, Paul Daniel Smith, once let the billionaire owner of the Washington Redskins football team chop down 130 trees on protected park land. 

Redskins owner Dan Snyder, whose riverfront mansion abutted the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, desired a better view of the Potomac River. As a high ranking special assistant to the park director at the time, Smith helped deliver this vista for the wealthy businessman. 

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced Smith’s appointment on Wednesday.  Read more…

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