For Immediate Release
Washington, DC

Yesterday, Maine Governor Janet T. Mills sent a letter announcing she will not accept federal guidelines for reducing risk to the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale.  

Jane Davenport, senior attorney at Defenders of Wildlife issued the following statement: 

“On the campaign trail, Governor Mills portrayed herself as a champion of the environment, but sadly, it seems she’s only concerned about issues outside Maine’s borders. Her decision to politicize and unilaterally abandon a science-based, stakeholder regulatory process ensures that endangered North Atlantic right whales will continue getting tangled up in Maine fishing gear and suffering slow, painful deaths. We urge Governor Mills to reconsider her decision to play an active role in the right whale’s extinction.”

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

News

Image
Sea otter with head poking above the water
Washington, DC

Defenders of Wildlife Urges Public Opposition to NOAA’s Planned Review That Could Weaken California’s Authority to Protect its Coastline

NOAA will review California's Coastal Management Program following a directive from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Defenders of Wildlife urges public participation in upcoming public meetings to protect California's coast, wildlife, and state authority.
Image
Grand Teton NP
WASHINGTON, D.C.

America the Beautiful Act Would Reauthorize Nearly $2 billion for National Parks and Public Lands

Defenders of Wildlife supports passage of the America the Beautiful Act, sponsored by Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR).