Statement: Defense Authorization Better, But Still Dangerous for Marine Animals

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Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org, (202) 495-3022

Washington, DC-- Today, the House passed a FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In conference, lawmakers successfully stripped a number of harmful provisions from the bill that would have threatened protections for public lands, forests and imperiled wildlife-- but the version still includes a rider that significantly undermines the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

In response, Jordan Giaconia, federal policy associate at  Sierra Club issued the following statement:

“Sierra Club applauds the move to strip riders from this bill that would effectively undo the Endangered Species Act and put our country’s most iconic wildlife at-risk of extinction. But the decision to weaken the Marine Mammal Protection Act that just cleared conference is a danger to our already-threatened oceans.

“We will continue advocating for our wild places and animals on land and in waters. Protecting fish, plants and wildlife is good for us all -- for our families, our communities, and our outdoor economies.”

 

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.