Jun

Press Release: Draft House Interior Appropriations Bill Contains Hidden Attacks on Wildlife

Press Releases, 2016 News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact:
Haley McKey
202-772 0247

hmckey@defenders.org

WASHINGTON (May 24, 2016)— The House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee has released its draft FY 2017 Interior appropriations bill in advance of Wednesday morning’s subcommittee mark-up. This funding bill includes a number of harmful riders that undermine protections for our air, land, water and wildlife. Some of the most egregious riders would overturn two federal court decisions and strip Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for gray wolves in the Great Lakes region and Wyoming, block future ESA protections for the greater sage-grouse, allow extensive logging of important forest lands and approve mining of ancient groundwater reserves in California.

Statement from Defenders of Wildlife president and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“These toxic riders are like invasive kudzu vines: each year, we pull them out by the roots, and each year they’re back again.

“Americans want to see our lands and wildlife protected now and for future generations. 90 percent of American voters support the protections provided to wildlife by the Endangered Species Act.

“But some in Congress refuse to follow the will of the American people or the law. They try to end run Endangered Species Act protections and other fundamental environmental laws through these hidden riders.

“We have seen these attacks on wildlife again and again in our nation’s most important federal funding legislation. We hope that environmental champions in Congress will see through these stealthy attacks on America’s land, water and wildlife and put a stop to them.”

###

Take Action to Keep Wolves Protected – Stop Anti-Wolf Legislation

If some members of Congress have their way, wolves across some or even all of the lower 48 states will lose their Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections through stand-alone bills or riders on must-pass legislation.

Your help is needed now to stop anti-wolf, anti-ESA legislation from moving forward.

Please contact your members of Congress and President Obama and tell them decisions about the future of endangered species should be based on science, not politics.

Bills or riders aimed at stripping endangered wolves of federal protections put more than wolves in peril – they threaten all wildlife and the Endangered Species Act itself. Wolves are being used as pawns in a larger effort to sink the ark that provides for the conservation of all animals.

Please contact members of Congress and the President today and urge them to oppose any anti-wolf legislation.

You will be most effective if you call personally or send an email in your own words. Whether you call or write, please be polite so that your message will be heard. Remember, you will most likely connect with a staffer who will pass your message along.

Sample message for phone calls or emails:

Start by identifying yourself and where you’re calling from.

I am calling to urge [the Senator, the Congressman, the President] to oppose any legislation or riders that will weaken the Endangered Species Act or reduce protections for wolves. These decisions should be made through science, not politics. Appropriations bills and other must-pass legislation should be kept clean of anti-wolf and other controversial riders. Thank you.

Phone numbers:

· Congress members’ contact information can be found at https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members.

· White House Phone: (202) 456-1111

· White House Email: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Thank you for acting for wolves today!

Back one page