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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Memo Underscores Trump Administration’s All-Fronts War on Wildlife
Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued a memorandum explaining to FWS staff that the Endangered Species Act’s prohibition on unauthorized “take” applies only to affirmative acts intentionally and purposefully directed at a particular animal. This follows the Trump administration’s rescission of the regulatory definitions of “harm” under the ESA, which took effect this week.
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Court Rules Habitat Must Be Protected After FWS Attempts to Waive Protections for Less Than 40 Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Defenders of Wildlife earned a significant victory for the Endangered Species Act today when a federal district court found that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada red fox was a violation of the law.
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Construction on Gateway to Road through Izembek Continues
The Ninth Circuit today denied Defenders of Wildlife’s emergency motion to halt construction on King Cove Corp.’s 2.8-mile road segment leading to the doorstep of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness. Defenders’ request for immediate injunctive relief marks the latest stage in its larger effort to block a damaging and precedent-setting road from King Cove to Cold Bay, Alaska, that would plow through the heart of Izembek.
Press Releases
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Defenders Condemns Administration's Dangerous Proposed Budget Cuts to Wildlife Conservation
Defenders of Wildlife condemns the Trump administration’s dangerous budget proposal asking Congress to cut significant resources for vital wildlife conservation.
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Defenders Denounces Destructive Natural Resources Reconciliation Text
Defenders of Wildlife strongly denounces the House Natural Resources Committee’s text for the upcoming reconciliation bill.
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Defenders Celebrates Oregon Bill that Paves the Way for Safer Roads
Defenders of Wildlife today applauded the Oregon legislature over its passage of HB 2978, a major step toward improving public safety and protecting wildlife.
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Defenders Seeks Permanent Safeguards for One of America’s Last Wild Places
Defenders applauds the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, a step toward permanently protecting ANWR from oil and gas drilling and the wildlife that depends on it.
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Department of Interior’s “Emergency Declaration” Suppresses Public Input and Strips Safeguards for Endangered Species
Last night, the Trump administration announced emergency procedures to fast-track oil, gas, and mining projects on national lands. The emergency procedures remove opportunities for meaningful
jcovey@defenders.org
