The Endangered Species Act is one of our nation’s strongest conservation laws; this act has effectively protected 99% of the species listed under its care from 1973 to 2013. But S. 1514, the Hunting Heritage and Environmental Legacy Preservation for Wildlife Act, threatens to undermine the Endangered Species Act and destroy vital species conservation efforts.
The Hunting Heritage and Environmental Legacy Preservation for Wildlife Act, nicknamed “HELP for Wildlife Act”, would remove gray wolves in the Wyoming and Great Lakes regions from the endangered species list, and prohibit judicial review on these rulings. This threatens crucial protections for gray wolves—a species vital to our nation’s natural systems. By eliminating judicial review, the legislation allows Congressional politics to interfere in decisions that should be based on scientific evidence.
S. 1514 would also limit regulations on dangerous lead fishing equipment under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
These dangerous add-ons to S. 1514 are hidden in provisions to reauthorize several wildlife conservation programs: the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.
This month, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on S. 1514.
John Vucetich, an Associate Professor at Michigan Technological University’s School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, spoke in opposition to this bill. He stressed the importance of wolves as a sacred symbol of human’s relationship with nature—noting how the two co-evolved historically. He emphasized the widespread support for wolf conservation, debunking overstatements about human safety and livestock industry risks.
Senator Cory Booker agreed, emphasizing that “we must acknowledge the global extinction crisis on Planet Earth”. He’s right. Our nation—with decision-makers in the driver’s seat—needs to confront the severity of species extinction and habitat destruction that threatens future generations and survival of wildlife forever. Because of human-induced climate change, overhunting and habitat destruction it is our moral duty to fight for conservation.
Unfortunately S.1514 passed out of committee. It is now in the hands of the Senate for full consideration.
This bill poses a threat to one of our nation’s most valuable, magnificent species and sets a dangerous precedent for political involvement in future listing decisions. We must take a stand to oppose this perilous legislation and fight to protect our wolves. Contact your Senators and tell them to oppose this disturbing bill.