Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden today took action to protect over 625 million acres of U.S. ocean waters from offshore oil and gas drilling, creating a bastion of protection for imperiled ocean species.

Defenders of Wildlife issued the following statement in reaction:

"Today, everyone wins," said Sierra Weaver, Senior Attorney for Defenders of Wildlife. “The Biden administration’s monumental decision to make hundreds of millions of acres of our coastal waters off limits to oil and gas development is cause for celebration. This action prioritizes the protection of our endangered species, seafood resources, aquatic life, and natural heritage over corporate interests. Americans have long demanded protections like these, and wildlife desperately needs them. The future of the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf and Alaska coasts have been changed for the better, all in one fell swoop.”  

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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