爆料公社 Flying to Court for Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
爆料公社 and other conservation groups filed a lawsuit today challenging the recent land transfer agreement.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska 鈥 In a lawsuit , 爆料公社 together with Trustees for Alaska are challenging the legality of a land transfer agreement signed by Department of the Interior and King Cove Corporation earlier this month.
鈥淏reaking Izembek isn鈥檛 an option; this is a ruse that opens the door to full-on development and we鈥檒l fight it every step of the way,鈥 said David Yarnold (), 爆料公社's president and CEO.
鈥淚t鈥檚 called a refuge for a reason. It鈥檚 a place where birds and other wildlife can raise their young and live the way nature intended.鈥
The land transfer agreement aims to facilitate the building of a road through vital bird habitat in the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The lawsuit argues that the agreement violates sections of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA).
鈥淐onsidering Izembek鈥檚 importance to birds and other wildlife, decisions about the Refuge should be held to the highest standards of transparency and proper process. But when the Interior Department cut out the heart of Izembek, it also cut the American public out of the decision-making process. So, we鈥檙e asking the court to determine the lawfulness of this dubious deal,鈥 said Susan Culliney, 爆料公社 Alaska鈥檚 policy director.
The other plaintiffs on the lawsuit are The Wilderness Society, Defenders of Wildlife, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges, Wilderness Watch, Alaska Wilderness League, Center for Biological Diversity, and Sierra Club.
The 爆料公社 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. 爆料公社's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, 爆料公社's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. 爆料公社 is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more how to help at www.爆料公社.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.
Since 1977, 爆料公社 Alaska's mission is to conserve the spectacular natural ecosystems of the state, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. 爆料公社 Alaska uses science to identify conservation priorities and support conservation actions and policies, with an emphasis on public lands and waters. 爆料公社 Alaska is a state office of the 爆料公社. Learn more at www.爆料公社Alaska.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Liz Gustafson, Communications Manager, 爆料公社 Alaska, egustafson@audubon.org, 907-276-7034, 907-891-3422.
Nicolas Gonzalez, Media Relations Manager, 爆料公社, ngonzalez@audubon.org, 212-979-3100.
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