WASHINGTON (December 9, 2013) – Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Ron Wyden today introduced a logging bill that, in its current form, would bulldoze bedrock environmental laws to pave the way for dramatic increases in logging. The bill would affect management of over two million acres of federal forest lands in Oregon known as the Oregon & California, or, “O&C,” lands.

The following is a statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former President and CEO, Defenders of Wildlife:

“Senator Wyden repeatedly promised that his logging bill would not undermine bedrock federal environmental laws, and yet it does just that. As written, the bill strips endangered species of legal protections while green lighting accelerated logging levels in Oregon forests that are critical to imperiled wildlife, watersheds and sustainable businesses.”

“When so many in Congress seem bent on casting aside our nation’s foremost environmental laws, we were looking to Senator Wyden’s legislation as a beacon of reason. Unfortunately this bill seriously undermines the Endangered Species Act on its 40th anniversary and, if passed, will have extremely serious consequences for our land, water and wildlife on over two million acres of public forests.”

###

 

Contact: Courtney Sexton, csexton@defenders.org, 202.772.0253

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 and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.

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 supporters, 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

Mexican Gray Wolf
Washington, D.C.

House Leadership Pulls Historic Vote Following Intense Public Pressure

The GOP Leadership in the House of Representatives today pulled its scheduled vote on Rep. Bruce Westerman’s (R-AR) ESA Amendments Act of 2025 — more aptly called the Extinction Act.
Public Domain
Washington, D.C.

House to Vote on Gutting Bedrock Endangered Species Act

As the nation celebrates Earth Day this week, the House of Representatives will cast an historic vote on a bill to eviscerate the Endangered Species Act, which was enacted more than 50 years ago to protect America’s wildlife from extinction.
Visit the newsroom