Environmentalists Excluded From Hearings as GOP Congressmen Descend on Sea World

(08/18/2003) - SAN DIEGO, CA – Members of Defenders of Wildlife today joined with other environmental groups to express their outrage at Congressmen Richard Pombo and George Radanovich, who are holding one-sided hearings this week on the future of the Algodones Dunes and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Monday hearing on the dunes has been limited to off-roading special interest groups. Groups seeking to preserve the California Desert Conservation Area, and the Algodones Dunes, were prohibited from providing testimony. Tuesday’s hearing on marine mammal protection has been limited to user groups (e.g. commercial and sports fishermen) and government agencies. Groups working to protect marine mammals were similarly not invited.

"These hearings are a shameful farce. It is unconscionable that two members of Congress would hold such one-sided hearings on issues that affect so many of their constituents," said Cynthia Wilkerson of Defenders of Wildlife. "Hearings in which all sides are represented are not too much to ask of our leaders."

The 11-million acre CDCA is home to 24 federally-listed endangered species and has been designated as protected land since a 1976 act of Congress. The Algodones Dunes themselves are the largest dune ecosystem in the U.S. and home to more than 160 animal species. Both areas are already suffering damage from the off-road industry, whose agenda is heavily supported by both Pombo and Radanovich.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972 is the most important federal law protecting whales, dolphins, and sea otters. The MMPA is currently under attack by the fishing industry as well as the U.S. military. The Bush administration is proposing to weaken these protections by exempting the US Navy from requirements to avoid threats to marine mammals caused by the intense noise generated by active sonars.

"Reps. Pombo and Radanovich are well-known opponents of even common-sense environmental laws," said Kim Delfino, California Program Director. "Time and again, they have shown that when it comes to the needs of the environment versus the desires of special interests, the environment loses."

###

Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 430,000 members and supporters, 90,000 in California alone, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues. To stay current on hot topics in wildlife conservation, subscribe to DENlines, Defenders of Wildlife’s electronic update and action alert network. To subscribe to DENlines or for more information on Defenders of Wildlife projects, please visit www.defenders.org.

###

Contact(s):

Cynthia Wilkerson, (916) 313-5810
Kim Delfino, (916) 313-5809