House bill full of attacks on the environment

The House of Representatives is about to pass a spending bill that is loaded up with attacks on the environment.

More than just funding cuts, these are targeted efforts to dismantle the framework of laws that has been the bedrock of environmental protections in this country for decades. They are nothing more than gifts to the oil companies, agribusiness, big developers, and corporate polluters determined to remove all obstacles to making a profit.

One of the bill’s provisions is the most sweeping attempt in recent history to gut the Endangered Species Act (ESA)--our most important tool for preventing the extinction of species and the unraveling of creation.

Since its passage the ESA has saved hundreds of plants and animals from becoming extinct, including bald eagles, alligators and grizzly bears. The law benefits humans by protecting natural habitats upon which species depend, which in turn provide us with clean water, fertile soils, clean air and other essential services.

The Extinction Rider would eliminate crucial protections for hundreds of species in trouble. It would prevent the Fish and Wildlife Service from spending any money on listing new species under the ESA, or designating critical habitat, or upgrading a species from threatened to endangered. Tellingly, it does allow the Service to spend money on weakening protections for wildlife by removing them from the ESA.

Other provisions in the bill would weaken the Clean Water Act, roll back protections for bighorn sheep, end a moratorium on uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, and more. You can see the full list of anti-environmental provisions here.

Barring divine intervention, the bill will soon pass the House and move to the Senate, where it will hopefully die a well-deserved death.

You can help make it happen by contacting your Senators. Urge them to vote against the Extinction Rider and the other anti-environmental measures in the House Appropriations bill.