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Defenders of Wildlife Applauds New ‘Special Areas’ Rule
The Biden administration today announced regulations to safeguard “Special Areas” identified for exceptional wildlife and cultural values in Alaska’s Western Arctic. Defenders of Wildlife supports
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Defenders Secures Win for Polar Bears in Alaska's North Slope
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finding that oil and gas activities in Alaska pose
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Alaska District Court Rules Willow Oil Project Can Proceed; Conservation Groups Plan To File Appeal
Environmental groups intend to challenge today’s federal court ruling that the Willow oil-drilling project in Alaska’s Western Arctic can proceed. A federal court in Alaska
More Polar Bear Press Releases
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Biden Administration Will Not Appeal Court Decision to Halt Willow Arctic Drilling Project
The Biden administration decided not to appeal a court decision voiding the flawed Trump-era approvals and permits for ConocoPhillips’ Willow Master Development Plan. The court determined in August that the Interior Department violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.
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New Assessment of Polar Bear Populations Underway as Climate Change Worsens
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that it will conduct a five-year review of polar bear populations. Polar bears are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, which requires FWS to review the status of the species periodically. The most recent review was conducted in 2017.
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Lawsuit Calls Out Biden Administration for Allowing Oil Operators to Harm Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears
Defenders of Wildlife and partner groups sued the Biden administration today for issuing a regulation that allows oil and gas companies to harass Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears despite the likelihood of causing injury and death.
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District Court Voids Permits for ConocoPhillips' Willow Project
Defenders of Wildlife and five allied groups celebrate today’s U.S. District Court decision protecting the health of Arctic communities by upholding the law and voiding the flawed Trump-era approvals and permits for the ConocoPhillips’s Willow Master Development Plan.
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President Biden Orders Review of Plans to Drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The Biden administration is formally launching its review of the previous administration’s plans to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling.
jcovey@defenders.org
