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For Immediate Release
Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Dicks deliver for America's natural treasures
Interior Appropriations conference report backs up vital directives with meaningful funding
The following statement from Defenders of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen is in response to the final FY 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies conference report, H.R. 2996, released under the leadership of Chairman Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) and Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.):
“The conference report released today takes huge strides forward in the protection of our nation’s wildlife and habitat. Not only does it tackle the issues of climate change and renewable energy head-on, it also provides significant funding increases for the programs that will deliver solutions in both these areas. We congratulate Chairs Feinstein and Dicks for their excellent work in producing this bill.
“Reaffirming the standing of science that was lost for so many years, this bill provides an unprecedented level of funding for science-based efforts to address the impacts of climate change. This, partnered with a new government-wide strategy to assist wildlife, plants and natural systems in adapting to climate change, indicates that a new standard has been set by this Administration and Congress. The bill represents the most sweeping action to date to address the impacts of climate change on our nation’s wildlife and ecosystems and provides a solid foundation for Congress to build upon as it considers how best to safeguard wildlife through climate change legislation.
“One of the most ground-breaking parts of this bill is its clear and extensive direction on developing renewable energy in a responsible way that will protect our sensitive natural resources. The bill includes a requirement for the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service to submit a report to Congress that details criteria that will be used to ensure balanced development. It is this kind of visionary legislating that will ensure America doesn’t have to sacrifice its natural treasures in order to gain clean, renewable energy.
“And finally, the bill includes new funding and direction for an important new program, championed by Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.), that will reimburse landowners for livestock losses from wolf depredation and provide funding to landowners for use of proactive methods to deter interactions between wolves and livestock. While it may seem small, it is this attention to detail that will ultimately help promote wildlife diversity in the Northern Rockies region.”
Background
Also included in the conference report is:
- A total of $15 million for the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and $55 million for work on national wildlife refuges, parks, forests and Bureau of Land Management Lands to address the impacts of climate change.
- Significant funding increases for programs that protect wildlife and habitat including the National Wildlife Refuge System, Fish and Wildlife Service endangered species efforts and the Land and Water Conservation Fund, continuing to repair the damage from years of budgetary neglect.
- Instruction to the Council on Environmental Quality to work with the Department of the Interior to develop a timeline and blueprint for completion of the new government-wide strategy on adaptation.
- Direction to the Department of the Interior to build upon the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and its wildlife and ecosystem-based approach in implementation of the recent Interior Department Secretarial Order on climate change.
Learn more about federal funding for wildlife and habitat.
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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come.
