Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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
Defenders comments on Bears Ears National Monument review decision
Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, wrote a memorandum to President Trump on the review of Bears Ears National Monument. Click below to read Defenders
Mexico Takes New Initiative to Protect the Vaquita, World’s Most Endangered Porpoise
WASHINGTON (June 8, 2017) – The Mexican government has announced new efforts to save the critically endangered vaquita from extinction, following a widespread advocacy campaign
Secretary Zinke Orders Review of Greater Sage-Grouse Plans
WASHINGTON (June 8, 2017) – Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke issued Secretarial Order 3353 today establishing a federal panel to review both federal and
California Shows Support for National Monuments: Legislation Passed, Rally Held
SACRAMENTO (June 8, 2017) – In response to the Trump administration’s executive order to review 27 national monuments across the country, California legislators today passed
U.S. Forest Service Approves Mine on Public Lands, Threatens Recovery of Jaguars
TUCSON (June 7, 2017) – The U.S. Forest Service approved today Hudbay Minerals Inc.’s Rosemont Mine, a 5,431-acre, 3,000-foot-deep open-pit copper mine in critical jaguar
jcovey@defenders.org
