Defenders Encouraged by Efforts of Fish and Wildlife Service to Address ESA Backlog

Media Contact: Jared Saylor: choffman@defenders.org or 202 772 3255

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1, 2016

Defenders Encouraged by Efforts of Fish and Wildlife Service to Address ESA Backlog

WASHINGTON (September 1, 2016) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released its National Listing Workplan for addressing listing of species and critical habitat decisions over the next seven years under the Endangered Species Act.

The following is a statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, President and CEO, Defenders of Wildlife:

“The backlog of imperiled species waiting for protection under the Endangered Species Act has for years served as a somber reminder of the tragic gap between our nation’s commitment to preserving endangered species and the inadequate resources Congress has provided to accomplish that goal. We commend the Fish and Wildlife Service for developing a forward-looking strategy to prioritize its listing workload so that species that badly need the act’s protections can receive them in a more timely manner. We look forward to reviewing the workplan to evaluate its feasibility.”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org. For the latest news from Defenders, follow us at@DefendersNews.