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Charles J. Sharp
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Trump Administration Advances Roadless Rule Repeal at the Expense of Wildlife, Clean Water and Public Will

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released its proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement seeking to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a bedrock law that protects 45 million acres of national forests managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Running brown bear, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Judge Vacates Land Exchange, Halts Road Through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge

A federal judge today vacated an illegal closed-door deal between the U.S. Department of the Interior and a for-profit Alaska Native corporation, King Cove Corp., that exchanged a 10.5-mile corridor of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness lands to enable a road connecting King Cove and Cold Bay.
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Ashley National Forest
WASHINGTON, D.C.

Defenders Strongly Opposes USDA Proposal to Dismantle Long-Standing Protections for National Forests

The United States Department of Agriculture today announced that the U.S. Forest Service has filed a proposed rule to fully rescind the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule — a bedrock conservation policy that has protected nearly 45 million acres of undeveloped backcountry forests for over two decades.

Press Releases

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Coral reef, Palmyra Atoll
Washington, DC

United Nations Releases Major Report on Climate Change’s Devastating Effects on Oceans and Wildlife

Today, the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the long-awaited “Special Report on the Oceans and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC),” a 1170-page account detailing the devastating effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.
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Greater sage-grouse
Washington, DC

Appropriations bills target greater sage-grouse, border wall

“This year has been another bad year for sage-grouse. The Trump administration has yanked away protections for the grouse and is supporting state plans that jeopardize this iconic bird’s future, all while populations continue to decline across the West."
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Capitol Building
Washington, DC

Western Caucus Members Push Anti-Endangered Species Act, Wildlife Extinction Package

The Congressional Western Caucus introduced a package of 19 anti-wildlife, anti-public lands, anti-Endangered Species Act (ESA) bills today. This Extinction Package would severely weaken implementation
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American Pika
Washington, DC

Defenders Testifying in House Subcommittee Hearing on Climate, Wildlife Impacts

Defenders of Wildlife’s senior policy analyst for climate adaptation, Aimee Delach, will deliver testimony at a legislative hearing before the House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on
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Juneau, AK

Judge issues preliminary injunction halting old-growth timber sale in Tongass National Forest

Today a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction that halts, for now, the initial phase of the largest timber sale approved by the U.S. Forest
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
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mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
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Communications Specialist
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estern@defenders.org
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