PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN RICHARD POMBO TAKES ANOTHER SWING AT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS
Task Force Releases Recommendations That Could Undermine National Environmental Policy Act

Congressman Pombo has launched another in a stream of attacks on environmental protections in our country. This time, his target is one of our keystone environmental laws, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Mr. Pombo ordered a House Resources Committee task force to review and suggest changes to this landmark law. Today, they have released a report suggesting 22 recommendations to alter the law in significant and fundamental ways.

Several of the recommendations limit how the public can participate in all levels of the NEPA process, including appeals and litigation. These recommendations will weaken public participation and seriously infringe on the public's right to know the environmental impacts of federal actions.

The task force disregarded expert testimony from dozens of witnesses. Even the White House Council charged with overseeing NEPA's implementation said that NEPA is "as relevant today as when Congress passed it in 1969."

"Representative Pombo is at it again, placing big business before the interests of American citizens," said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund.

NEPA was passed in 1969 to promote efforts to prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and protect the health and welfare of Americans. NEPA guarantees that ordinary citizens, not just corporate special interests, have a chance to participate in decisions that will affect their community's health and well-being.

"Only someone like Representative Pombo would try to dismantle a law written to make sure we know the environmental consequences of proposed activities before they occur," said Schlickeisen. "NEPA has saved neighborhoods, parks, and wildlife habitat from ill-conceived development. Millions of Americans have NEPA to thank for the quality of our communities today."

Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is a strong voice for the wildlife conservation community in the legislative and political process. Defenders Action Fund educates the public about the legislative records of members of Congress and how their votes affect our country's wildlife and the environment. Defenders Action Fund will run targeted campaigns to motivate conservation voters and encourage them to make their voices heard at the ballot box during next year's elections.

Affiliated with Defenders of Wildlife, the Defenders Action Fund is 501(c)(4) organization created to provide the wildlife conservation community with a stronger voice in the political process. For more information, see www.defendersactionfund.org.