Washington, D.C.

Defenders of Wildlife Ashley Overhouse, Water Policy Advisor, today issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s planned tour of the fire ravaged areas in Los Angeles today and expected Executive Order that could impact Bay-Delta water operations: 

“Conflating the health of the Bay-Delta in northern California with the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles is not only factually inaccurate, it’s dangerous as it does nothing to address the underlying causes of the wildfire crisis – including climate change. Today’s announcement by the new administration demonstrates both a severe misunderstanding of water management and a blatant disregard for the needs of imperiled wildlife. Communities like Altadena and Palisades desperately need aid, not more political posturing that ignores science and continues to fan the flames of climate change.” 

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.  

 

Media Contact

Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org

News

Image
Salt Marsh - Cumberland Island
ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

NPS Land Swaps and Visitor Plan Open the Door to Devastating Impacts at Cumberland Island

In advance of a public hearing on proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore, Defenders of Wildlife called on the National Park Service to remedy a host of management issues facing one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands on the East Coast.
Image
2019.08.07 - Florida Panther looking straight at camera - MS 45 - fStop Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife

Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.