Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC-- Today, under the leadership of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with NOAA Fisheries proposed three rule changes that would effectively dismantle the Endangered Species Act. E&E released a leak of the proposed modifications to the rule that will make it increasingly difficult to hold wildlife agencies accountable, lessen opportunity for public input and weaken protection of threatened species.
In response, Athan Manuel, director of public lands protection for Sierra Club issued the following statement:
“The Endangered Species Act is one of the most effective environmental policies in American history with 99% of species listed recovering in their designated timeline. It’s prevented iconic animals like the bald eagle and grizzly bear from going extinct-- preserving our wild legacy and outdoor spaces for future generations.
“Instead of dismantling a policy we know works, Zinke should focus on requesting full funding for recovery efforts and allowing the Endangered Species Act to work like it’s supposed to and how it has for decades.”
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.