WASHINGTON (Aug. 7, 2017) -- The Department of the Interior issued new direction to federal agencies today to revise current federal sage-grouse conservation plans to allow for more fossil fuel development, livestock grazing and other land uses that could negatively affect the grouse and hundreds of other species in the Sagebrush Sea.
Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former President and CEO for Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:
“Interior’s proposed changes could irreparably damage sage-grouse habitat, jeopardizing an unprecedented, collaborative effort to conserve this iconic species.”
“While the Trump administration works to weaken the federal sage-grouse conservation plans, scientists recommend doing quite the opposite. The latest research advises strengthening conservation measures to protect and restore sage-grouse, which also benefits hundreds of other wildlife species, sagebrush grasslands and the Western communities and economies that depend on them.”
For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.
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