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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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Northern goshawk
Washington, DC

More than 180,000 Americans Oppose Trump’s Plan to Cripple Migratory Bird Protections

AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY * CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY * DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE * NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY * NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE More
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Eastern Bluebird
Washington, DC

Retired Communications Professionals Blast U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Over Press Release

According to PEER, 10 prominent retired public affairs, communications and outreach professionals have criticized their former agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), for violating press relations norms and fairness policies in a complaint to the Inspector General.
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Mexican Gray Wolf
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Despite Increase in Mexican Wolf Count Numbers, Recovery Challenges Remain

Today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released the official Mexican gray wolf population count for 2019.
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Black bears on rocks above Anan Creek Tongass NF
Juneau, AK

Federal Court Rules Against Massive Old-Growth Rainforest Logging Plan in Alaska

A federal judge today rejected an enormous commercial timber harvest and road-building plan for Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.

Governor Signs Crucial Bill Prohibiting Wildlife Trafficking

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham officially signed the Wildlife Trafficking Act (SB 75) that prohibits wildlife trafficking and allows New Mexico to prosecute offenders.
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244
Communications Director
mdewane@defenders.org
(202) 772-0217
Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org
Communications Specialist
kirby@defenders.org
(202) 772-3268
Communications Specialist
estern@defenders.org
202-772-0243