Defenders of Wildlife Supports Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health Proposed Rule

In advance of a hearing by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, Defenders of Wildlife is announcing its support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed rule governing the maintenance of the National Wildlife Refuge System’s Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health (BIDEH).

“The National Wildlife Refuge System is vital to the survival of hundreds of our nation’s most imperiled species and is widely enjoyed by the American public, with more than 68 million visits each year,” said Desiree Sorenson-Groves, vice president of land and habitat conservation for Defenders of Wildlife. “In the face of the joint biodiversity and climate crises, it is imperative that we protect and enhance this incredible system and follow the best available science, and that’s what this rule would require.”

The proposed BIDEH rule and updated policy would allow FWS to develop and implement climate change adaptation strategies on refuges, many of which are already experiencing devastating impacts.