CDP: Wildlife Clips: February 23, 2023
Departments
EPA Watchdog To Audit Infrastructure Law Data. According to Politico, “EPA's internal watchdog is preparing to dig deep into the agency's reporting of financial data for the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. EPA's Office of Inspector General said in a notice released Tuesday that it will begin an audit of the agency's fiscal 2022 reporting of award data for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The law is a cash boon for EPA, bringing in about $60 billion over the coming years to rebuild water systems, clean up Superfund sites and provide electric school buses.” [Politico, 2/22/23 (=)]
US Fish And Wildlife Service Proposes Placing California Spotted Owl On The Endangered Species List. According to KSBW, “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the California spotted owl as endangered under the Endangered Species Act on Wednesday. Two distinct populations of the owl would be listed if approved. The Sierra Nevada population would be listed as threatened, and the southern coastal population would be considered endangered. The southern coastal population of the owl's habitat includes parts of Big Sur and south Monterey County. An endangered species is any species that is in danger of going extinct. A threatened species is a species at risk of becoming endangered. If the spotted owl is placed on the list, it would be given special protections under federal law.” [KSBW, 2/22/23 (=)]
$12.5 million to protect the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence from invasive species. According to Saxon, “Omar Alghabra, Federal Minister of Transportation, says the Oceans Protection Plan helps protect the environment by supporting sustainable shipping practices. Canada is launching a new $12.5 million program to fight aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra made the announcement at a Wednesday press briefing in Windsor. The Ballast Water Innovation Program will fund including research projects and will propose innovations to help limit the introduction and spread of invasive species.” [Saxon, 2/22/23 (=)]
'Forever Chemicals' Could Affect 300+ Species. According to Politico, “Hundreds of wildlife species are carrying so-called forever chemicals in their bodies, with a new analysis showing that the notorious compounds are a major threat for animals ranging from aquatic life like fish to horses and vulnerable species, including polar bears. Over 330 species may be affected by PFAS contamination, possibly exposing them to severe health impacts and opening up humans to more exposure pathways. A new analysis and interactive map released Wednesday by the Environmental Working Group lays out how extensively the chemicals appear to have invaded the blood, plasma, organs and other tissues in samples taken from animals around the world.” [Politico, 2/22/23 (=)]
Warming Winters Put Indigenous Moose Hunting Traditions In Jeopardy. According to Yale Climate Connections, “Moose have long been at the heart of Indigenous Ojibwe culture. And in much of northern Minnesota, hunting moose for their meat and hides is protected by treaty rights. But climate change and other environmental threats could put this tradition in jeopardy. Tyler Kaspar is an environmental biologist with the 1854 Treaty Authority, an intertribal natural resource management agency. He says as the climate warms, a species known as the winter tick is thriving and attacking moose in greater numbers.” [Yale Climate Connections, 2/22/23 (=)]
Jane Fonda Campaigns To Save ‘Our Brethren In The Ocean’. According to the AP, “Actress and activist Jane Fonda is campaigning for a treaty to save marine creatures that are hunted for food including sharks, swordfish, octopus and tuna, saying they feel joy, feel sadness when they lose their offspring, and “are our brethren in the ocean.” A day after talks resumed at U.N. headquarters to forge a long-awaited and elusive treaty to safeguard the world’s marine biodiversity, the 85-year-old Oscar winner told a news conference Tuesday that these marine creatures “play with us and they feel emotions — and how dare we so lack humility that we will risk killing them off for money and for food.” For almost four years, Fonda said, she has been working with Greenpeace, and she came to New York to deliver 5.5 million signatures from people in 157 countries demanding a strong Global Ocean Treaty to Rena Lee, president of the U.N. negotiations. A key aim for the treaty is to turn 30% of the world’s oceans into marine sanctuaries by 2030 where fishing is banned.” [AP, 2/22/23 (=)]
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