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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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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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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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House Appropriations Committee Moves to Fund, Protect Wildlife
The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations passed its Fiscal Year 2020 Interior and Environment spending bill out of committee today. This environmentally progressive bill now moves to the House floor for a vote by the full chamber.
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Sen. Whitehouse, Rep. Cartwright Introduce Comprehensive Legislation to Combat Climate Change
Responding to increasing and pervasive impacts of climate change on both natural and human communities, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA-8) introduced the Safeguarding America’s Future and Environment (SAFE) Act in the Senate and House of Representatives today.
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Trump Administration Issues More Waivers of Law For Expedited Border Wall Construction in Wildlife Refuges and Protected Lands
As published in today’s Federal Register, the Trump administration announced it will waive dozens of environmental and public safety laws in more locations in Arizona and California in order to expedite border wall construction.
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Fishing and Conservation Groups Sue Country's Largest Agricultural Water District Over Illegal Plot to Raise Shasta Dam
Yesterday, a coalition of fishing and conservation groups filed a lawsuit against Westlands Water District for unlawfully aiding efforts by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to raise Shasta Dam.
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House Appropriations Committee Moves to Fund, Protect Wildlife
Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement: “Our nation’s wildlife is increasingly threatened by habitat loss, climate change and invasive species in what the United Nations has now confirmed as our planet’s sixth mass extinction. We haven’t a moment to spare. Congress must act to protect and restore wildlife by funding programs to preserve species and habitat.
jcovey@defenders.org
