Draft House Interior Appropriations Bill Contains Hidden Attacks on Wildlife

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Haley McKey, 202-772 0247

hmckey@defenders.org

WASHINGTON (May 24, 2016)– The House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee has released its draft FY 2017 Interior appropriations bill in advance of Wednesday morning’s subcommittee mark-up. This funding bill includes a number of harmful riders that undermine protections for our air, land, water and wildlife. Some of the most egregious riders would overturn two federal court decisions and strip Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for gray wolves in the Great Lakes region and Wyoming, block future ESA protections for the greater sage-grouse, allow extensive logging of important forest lands and approve mining of ancient groundwater reserves in California.

Statement from Defenders of Wildlife president and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“These toxic riders are like invasive kudzu vines: each year, we pull them out by the roots, and each year they’re back again.

“Americans want to see our lands and wildlife protected now and for future generations. 90 percent of American voters support the protections provided to wildlife by the Endangered Species Act.

“But some in Congress refuse to follow the will of the American people or the law. They try to end run Endangered Species Act protections and other fundamental environmental laws through these hidden riders.

“We have seen these attacks on wildlife again and again in our nation’s most important federal funding legislation. We hope that environmental champions in Congress will see through these stealthy attacks on America’s land, water and wildlife and put a stop to them.”

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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. To get the latest news from Defenders, follow @DefendersNews.