(05/27/2010) -

Summary:

  • The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is seeking public input regarding its review of Minerals Management Service (MMS) environmental review procedures and practices under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
  • CEQ is reviewing and seeking public input regarding the adequacy of MMS compliance with NEPA at all phases of its offshore oil and gas program, specifically focusing on the use of NEPA categorical exclusions.
  • Defenders of Wildlife and the Southern Environmental Law Center have filed suit against MMS over its use of categorical exclusions, including in the approval of the BP Deepwater Horizon exploratory plan, and the agency’s failure to adequately assess at any level the environmental impacts of its offshore oil and gas program in the Gulf of Mexico.

WASHINGTON (May 27, 2010) – The following is a statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president of Defenders of Wildlife:

"MMS has clearly been unable to perform its duty of environmental review. This welcome analysis by CEQ is the crucial first step towards fixing their broken process."

###

Read CEQ's announcement of the "Review of MMS NEPA Policies, Practices, and Procedures for OCS Oil and Gas Exploration and Development."

See how Defenders is responding to the Gulf oil disaster.

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 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.

###

Contact(s):

Caitlin Leutwiler, (202) 772-3226

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

News

A Transient orca jumps out of the water, making an arch with its body. It's back half and tail are almost completely covered with a white wave, splash.
Salem, OR

Defenders and Partners Urge Oregon State Action on Wildlife Conservation Bill as Two Senators Block Bipartisan Effort

A landmark bill to fund wildlife conservation in Oregon is being held up in the State Senate, despite passing the House with strong bipartisan support and clearing Senate Rules.
elk landscape
Washington, D.C.

New Assault on Public Lands Betrays Will of American People

Defenders of Wildlife slammed Senator Mike Lee’s (R-UT) most recent attempt to sell off our nation’s public lands through a provision in the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill for what it is – a brazen betrayal of the will of the American people.
Visit the newsroom