Are they kidding?
Jamie Rappaport Clark, Defenders of Wildlife
This is how federal bureaucrats will let hundreds of gray wolves die:
They ignored the scientists. Now they plan to ignore wolf supporters in some of the nation’s best remaining unoccupied wolf habitat.
It’s been almost 90 days since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed stripping federal protection from nearly all gray wolves in the Lower 48. Finally, after weeks of silence they have announced that there will only be three public hearings addressing the delisting.
Even worse, none of these hearings will take place in Washington, Oregon or Colorado – all states that are home to excellent, unoccupied wolf habitat and a strong base of support for continued wolf recovery.
The FWS will only hold hearings in Sacramento, CA, Albuquerque, NM, and Washington, DC.
How does FWS plan to gather fair and well-rounded testimony if they don’t plan to hold hearings in some of the nation’s best remaining unoccupied wolf habitat?
Tell FWS to schedule more public hearings so the American people can have their say.
It’s been clear from the start that FWS is determined to delist wolves no matter what.
- They ignored a letter sent back in May from 16 of the nation’s most prominent wildlife scientists.
- They tried to exclude some of the most qualified wildlife scientists from participating in the scientific peer review of this delisting proposal.
- Now FWS is essentially turning its back on Americans who want to see thriving wolf populations restored to their states.
FWS has now extended the public comment period for an additional 45 days. Defenders will use every minute of this extended period to deliver a message that Washington cannot ignore – that delisting wolves is premature and reckless, and the American people won’t stand for it.
Help us make FWS listen – demand that they schedule more public hearings immediately!
DELISTING CRISIS:
When Protection Ends, Wolves Die
Where gray wolves have been delisted, the death toll has soared.
Tell FWS to schedule more public hearings so the American people can have their say.
Thank you for all you have done for our beloved wolves.
Sincerely,
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Jamie Rappaport Clark President Defenders of Wildlife |