Born Free USA applauds the introduction of the Protect America’s Wildlife and Fish in Need of Protection Act (PAW and FIN Act) of 2019 in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This bill will repeal recent regulations passed by the Trump Administration’s Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The ESA is our nation’s foremost wildlife protection law, responsible for saving 99 percent of listed species from extinction. The ESA also enjoys the support of some 90 percent of Americans, making it an extremely popular law, too. Despite this, recent regulations by FWS would weaken this important legislation by, among other provisions, making it more difficult to extend protections to threatened species; allowing economic factors to be analyzed when deciding if a species should be saved; making it more difficult to protect polar bears, coral reefs, and other species threatened by climate change; and making it easier for companies to undertake industrial building projects in critical habitat areas.
Angela Grimes, Born Free USA CEO, says:
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the leadership of DOI Secretary David Bernhardt has shown an alarming lack of concern with the conservation of wildlife, focusing instead on the profitability of special interest groups. Today, we applaud Congressman Grijalva and other wildlife champions for introducing this vital legislation that would repeal the Fish and Wildlife Service’s callous dismantling of the Endangered Species Act, our most critical wildlife legislation.”
To learn more about the ESA and our work to protect and defend it, click here.