Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will consider two bills that would radically undercut the ability of the federal government to protect imperiled wildlife.
One bill, from Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), H.R.845, would force the Department of the Interior to strip gray wolves of their endangered species protections within 60 days. The bill also seeks to circumvent the courts by denying judicial review of the delisting.
The other, from Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), H.R. 1897, would amend the ESA beyond recognition, effectively eliminating the law’s ability to protect imperiled wildlife in the United States. The ESA has been bedrock environmental law for more than 50 years and is one of the most successful and popular conservation laws in American history, saving 99 percent of species under its protection from extinction. Neither bill has a single Democratic co-sponsor.
The hearing kicks off a concerted push this week by the Trump administration and anti-wildlife members of Congress. On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing on Donald Trump’s nomination of Brian Nesvik to run the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Nesvik garnered controversy as director of Wyoming’s wildlife agency, overseeing massive outbreaks of chronic wasting disease and hoof rot among the state’s elk population, and his questionable comments around removing protections for endangered species like grizzly bears.
In response, Bradley Williams, Sierra Club’s Deputy Legislative Director for Wildlife and Lands Protection, released the following statement:
“The Endangered Species Act is one of the country’s most popular and successful conservation laws, and Donald Trump wants to throw it in the garbage to pad the bottom lines of his corporate supporters. Since Day One of his administration, Trump has shown again and again that he wants to hand over control of our public lands and waters to billionaires and corporations. Imperiled wildlife will suffer the consequences.
“For more than 50 years, the United States has made amazing progress bringing species back from the brink of extinction. It’s because of the ESA that species like the grizzly bear and bald eagle are living symbols of America and not just photos in a history book. If Trump and his allies in Congress get their way, that progress won’t just come to a screeching halt – it could be completely reversed.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.