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Trump Administration Rescinds ‘Harm’ Definition, Defenders Prepares for Court
In a devastating blow to wildlife, the Trump administration today formally rescinded the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act, eliminating the long-standing legal interpretation that habitat destruction that leads to death or injury of protected species is illegal.
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Sec. of Defense Invokes False “National Security” Rationale to Eviscerate Endangered Species Act Protections for Wildlife in the Gulf
In a litigation filing yesterday in federal district court, the Trump administration publicly admitted for the first time that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum scheduled a snap meeting of the Endangered Species Committee (the “God Squad”) for March 31 at the request of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
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Defenders Celebrates Tremendous Step to Restored Florida Rivers
On Monday, the Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act was filed to restore the natural flow of the Ocklawaha River, Silver and St
More Florida Manatee Press Releases
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Federal and State Officials Announce Plan to Feed Malnourished Manatees
Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced that the agencies will launch a program to feed malnourished manatees in the Indian River Lagoon.
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More Than 1,000 Manatees Have Died in 2021
Today, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced that 1,003 manatees have died since the start of 2021.
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SJRWMD Survey Results Demonstrate Strong Support for Ocklawaha River Restoration
The recent month-long, online public survey launched by St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) regarding the future of the Kirkpatrick Dam and Rodman Reservoir resulted in 10,482 responses.
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Biden To Reverse Two Harmful Trump Rules That Limited Endangered Species Act Protections
The Biden administration announced it is reversing two harmful Trump administration rules that undermine the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the bedrock law that protects our nation’s wildlife from extinction. Broadly, the two rules had altered the way critical habitat is designated.
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40,750 People Sign Defenders of Wildlife Petition to Stop Manatee Deaths
This weekend, Defenders of Wildlife sent a petition with 40,750 signatures to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), urging swift and meaningful action to prevent more manatee deaths in Florida.
jcovey@defenders.org
