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Defenders News Briefs Spring 2004
Wetlands Plans Dry Up
Responding to a public outcry—including more than 15,000 faxes and e-mails sent by members of Defenders—the federal government has reversed course on its plan to remove protections for as many as 20 million acres of wetlands in the lower 48 states. The plan would have opened all of what are called "isolated" wetlands and small waterways to development and pollution, leading to the destruction of habitat crucial to countless species, not to mention public health. Despite the turnabout, the Army Corps of Engineers still has a directive in place that may harm millions of acres of wetlands. Defenders is working to repeal this policy and address gaps in wetlands protection at the state level.
Raid on Wildlife Safeguards
Government officials have proposed loosening the rules protecting endangered species from the impacts of harmful pesticides. The plan would allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make decisions about the dangers of pesticides to endangered species, without consulting wildlife experts in other federal agencies. Conservationists contend that, because of their expertise, staffers at these agencies should retain their historical oversight. They also point out that EPA has a questionable track record when it comes to regulating pesticides.
"EPA has repeatedly demonstrated its unwillingness to adequately consult with wildlife experts when assessing the impact of chemical use on wildlife and habitat," says Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders. "In fact, EPA did not conduct a single investigation into the effects of pesticides on endangered species for more than a decade and only started when federal courts ordered them to do so."
Sea Otters Get a Hand
Threatened southern sea otters off the coast of California would benefit from a new bill introduced in Congress by Representative Sam Farr (D-California). The legislation would organize and authorize funding for sea otter research and recovery programs for a five-year period, as well as set up a team of experts (including fishermen, scientists and conservationists) to advise the recovery process.
"We have been fighting to bring the southern sea otter back from near-extinction for [more than] sixty years. Yet today scientists estimate that there are still only 2,400 sea otters," says Farr. "This legislation will provide the platform for full recovery of sea otters in California and for scientific study that will help improve our understanding of the health of California's coastal ecosystems."
