Great Lakes Remain Vulnerable to New Wave of Dangerous Mining, According to New Report

May 10 – Gaps, inconsistencies and loopholes in U.S. state and Canadian provincial laws are leaving the Great Lakes and other natural resources vulnerable to a new wave of mining activity sweeping the Upper Great Lakes states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota and Canadian province of Ontario, according to a new legal analysis by the National Wildlife Federation and Ecojustice Canada.

“Weak laws and lax enforcement undermine efforts to protect our water, wildlife and communities from this dangerous form of mining,” said Michelle Halley, National Wildlife Federation attorney. “There is an urgent need for the region to address these issues now or likely face decades of contamination and clean-up.”

And here is some news from our sister organization, NWF Action Fund

New Ad: Cleaner Air Isn’t Just Good For Our Lungs; It’s Good For Our Economy

May 10 – If politicians in Washington know that protecting the air we breathe not only protects people and wildlife, but also helps spur our economy, then why are they trying to gut Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) clean air standards? On Thursday, May 10, the National Wildlife Federation Action Fund (NWF Action Fund) and Earthjustice are launching a seven-figure TV ad buy that highlights the economic and health benefits associated with a transition to a greener economy, while also raising public awareness and support for EPA’s new clean air standards to limit industrial air pollution from power plants.

Here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• The Detroit News: Wildlife federation gives Michigan poor rating for mining regulatory system
• Gannett: Groups say mining laws too weak to protect Great Lakes
• Minnesota Public Radio: NWF wants more study of Great Lakes-area mining
• Minneapolis Star Tribune: Rep. Cravaack: Cut climate change education funds
• UPI: Keystone XL debate enters new phase

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

New Route, Same Risks: Keystone XL Fails to Protect Nebraska

May 4 – TransCanada reapplied for a Presidential Permit to construct the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline today. The pipeline would carry up to 900,000 barrels a day of Alberta tar sands oil 1,700 miles to refineries on the Gulf Coast.

Jeremy Symons, senior vice president of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“It’s hard to tell what’s really new about TransCanada’s application, which continues to threaten Nebraska’s iconic Sandhills and its critical Ogallala aquifer. It’s just the latest broken promise from TransCanada, which has threatened to seize Nebraskan lands by eminent domain and claimed its Keystone I pipeline would spill very rarely, then spilled 12 times in its first year of operation.”

BLM fracking rules a good start, but provisions in draft need to be strengthened

May 4 – Proposed federal rules for hydraulic fracturing, including the handling of wastewater and the integrity of well casings, are a step forward in safeguarding public lands, but requirements for publicly disclosing the contents of fracking fluids need to be strengthened, a sportsmen’s coalition said Friday.

The BLM’s draft rule on fracking is a start to addressing concerns about the potential impacts of drilling and handling drilling fluids on the lands that are key to the West’s water supplies, fish and wildlife, said Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development.

Campus Conservation Nationals 2012 Schools Lauded for Leadership in Reducing Consumption

May 2 – NWF’s Campus Ecology Program, Lucid, U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC) and Alliance to Save Energy have announced the winners of Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN) 2012, a nationwide electricity and water use reduction competition among colleges and universities. It is the first nationwide electricity and water reduction competition on college campuses.

Between February 6 and April 23, 2012, students across the country competed to achieve the greatest reductions in their residence halls’ electricity consumption over a three-week period of their choosing. In all, nearly 250,000 students in 1,300 residences at 100 colleges and universities entered, saving more than 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of energy–equivalent to more than 2.6 million pounds of CO2 and over $150,000 in energy savings, equal to removing 151 US homes from the grid for a year.

Laws Don’t Adequately Protect Great Lakes from Pipeline Oil Spills, New Report Finds

April 30 – Nearly two years after one of the worst oil spills in Midwest history, a new legal analysis by the National Wildlife Federation reveals that laws governing oil pipelines do not adequately protect the Great Lakes and its communities from oil pollution—and that states have not passed their own laws to fill in the gaps.

“Current laws leave the door open to future oil spills,” said Sara Gosman, water resources attorney for the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office and lecturer at the University of Michigan Law School. “Contrary to common perception, oil spills are an ongoing problem in the region. Federal and state laws should do more to prevent spills and protect our communities, economy and wildlife.”

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• The New York Times: Report Finds Pipeline Oversight Wanting
• Detroit Free Press: Wildlife federation: Enbridge oil spill didn’t spur change in regulations and Editorial: Weak oversight will make more pipeline spills inevitable
• The Chicago Tribune: 8 ideas for fun in the fresh air
• The Commercial Appeal: Guest Column: Ag policies can help farmers and wildlife

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

What would you do if, in one day, you lost everything?  I’m not just talking about your personal possessions; I’m talking about your entire community – your church, your grocery store, your school.  The folks you meet in the video below, Warrenetta Banks and John Taylor, have lived out this scenario every day since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 and have chosen to respond with passion and dedication to recovery – advocating for smart, green urban planning on one side of the levee and a healthy wetland ecosystem on the other side of the levee.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Warrenetta and John are both lifelong residents of the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans.  In the years since catastrophic flooding, they’ve helped their community recover to be one of the “greenest” in the nation – solar panels, community gardens, LEED certified homes are typical encounters as you walk down the street.  That’s on one side of the levee.

Residents like Warrenetta and John understand all too well that the wetland ecosystem on the other side of the levee is critical to their future and safety.  Healthy wetlands serve as a buffer to storm surges and winds and help the levees do their job to protect communities.  National Wildlife Federation is one organization working closely with the Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development  (where Warrenetta and John work) to plan and gain funding for restoration of the 400 acres cypress swamp bordering the community (featured in the video) as well as the entire 58,000 acres wetland ecosystem the swamp is connected to, which once buffered much of the Greater New Orleans area from storms and provided important wildlife habitat.

Without healthy wetlands, coastal communities like the Lower Ninth Ward remain very vulnerable to disasters.  Urgent funding is needed for restoration.  The RESTORE Act, legislation now making its way through the U.S. Congress, will use a portion of Clean Water Act penalties from the BP disaster to fund projects that will restore Gulf Coast ecosystems, including wetlands that protect communities and provide critical habitat for Gulf wildlife.  Right now, you can make a difference in the future of the Gulf Coast.  Learn more about the RESTORE Act and share your voice!

Send a message to your members of Congress, urging them to pass legislation to restore the Gulf today.

This is a rare glimpse into the lives of herons. Join us in watching the action unfold!

There’s also a second camera in the nest, which offers a different vantage point.

Stay tuned, and we’ll update this post with more information about the nest, the cam, and great blue herons.

Senate Agriculture Committee Improves Farm Bill, but More Work Needed

April 26 – The National Wildlife Federation commends Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts for their leadership in crafting and moving out of committee a bipartisan reauthorization of the farm bill.

“It is important that we pass a farm bill this year, and we praise the committee leadership for their hard work in helping to make this happen,” said Julie Sibbing, director of agriculture and forestry programs at the National Wildlife Federation.

The Senate Agriculture Committee passed a farm bill today which seeks to minimize the effects of cuts to conservation and energy programs. However, the National Wildlife Federation believes vital improvements are still needed to ensure protection for wildlife and natural resources.

As Americans Mark the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, U.S. House of Representatives Takes Another Step Backward

April 26 – The Izaak Walton League of America, National Wildlife Federation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Trout Unlimited issued the following statement today concerning the Rehberg Amendment to the House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill:

“We are deeply disappointed that some in Congress continue to block progress to restore Clean Water Act protections for streams, wetlands, and other waters. Once again, the House Energy and Water Appropriations bill includes a rider barring the Army Corps of Engineers from finalizing and implementing science-based Clean Water Act guidance. Unfortunately, the House is picking up where it left off last year by pushing policies that threaten our most important natural resource.”

National Aquarium, NWF Celebrate Maryland Partnership With Earth Day Tree-Planting

April 23 – The National Aquarium officially joined forces with NWF yesterday, becoming the first aquarium or zoo state affiliate of the 75-year-old organization at an Earth Day event featuring Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

During the event, Mayor Rawlings-Blake delivered remarks on the importance of the partnership and of the green initiatives taking place across the city, state and region before helping to plant a white dogwood tree in the aquarium’s new Certified Wildlife Habitat at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Waterfront Park on the Inner Harbor. Visitors to NWF’s Earth Day tent were given the opportunity to take home their own ‘baby’ trees for planting later in the year.

Eco-Schools USA Congratulates Dept of Education’s U.S. Green Ribbon School Award Recipients

April 23 – The Department of Education has recognized 19 registered Eco-Schools among the 78 inaugural winners of the U.S. Green Ribbon School Awards Program, which recognizes schools for their commitment to an energy-efficient, sustainable and healthy school environment, and to ensuring the environmental literacy of their graduates.

The schools, which represent 14 states, were previously given the opportunity to utilize an alignment primer created by NWF’s Eco-Schools USA program as a stepping stone to winning a Green Ribbon. In all, schools from 29 states plus Washington, DC, were recognized.

Canada-New England Tar Sands Pipeline Hits Strong Opposition

April 23 – A proposal by Canadian Energy giant Enbridge, Inc. to partially reverse the flow of a Canadian pipeline received 41,000 comments in opposition. The reversal is the first step in an apparent scheme to ship tar sands oil through New England in order to access East Coast and overseas markets. Comments to the Canadian National Energy Board (NEB) expressed concerns about the environmental and public health impacts of the proposal.

The NEB, the Canadian federal agency that oversees permitting interprovincial pipelines, is reviewing Enbridge’s proposal to reverse the flow direction of a portion of its aging 62-year-old pipeline to move tar sands crude approximately 125 miles from Sarnia to the Westover Oil Terminal, outside of Hamilton, Ontario. Pipeline companies have sent clear signals that the real intent is a long-range plan to ship tar sands oil further on through Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine to tankers in Portland harbor for Eastern U.S. and overseas markets.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• The New York Times: As Bison Return to Prairie, Some Rejoice, Others Worry
• UPI: Advocates protest Maine oil sands plan
• Mashable: Craigslist Founder Will Donate $1 if You Tweet About Squirrels
• Education Week: Obama Sends Mixed Signals on Environmental Education

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Nearly 400 Kansas Schools to be Recognized as Part of Eco-Schools USA Agreement

April 20 – Nearly 400 pre-K-12 Kansas schools will be nationally recognized for their achievements in ‘greening’ school buildings and grounds, conserving natural resources and integrating environmental education into their curricula as part of an agreement between the Kansas Association for Conservation & Environmental Education (KACEE), Kansas Green Schools Network, Project Learning Tree GreenSchools! and NWF’s Eco-Schools USA programs.

Participating schools now have access to a wealth of resources, including supplementary hands-on activities and lesson plans, investigative studies and equipment, teacher professional development and grant opportunities to improve their school—indoors and outdoors—and save their school money. This agreement will also help many more schools start on the path to providing a more healthy and safe learning environment for students and staff, as well as grow students’ interest and academic performance in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Two Years Into Oil Disaster, Promise to Restore Gulf Remains Unfulfilled

April 19 – Friday marks two years since the blowout on the Deepwater Horizon rig that killed 11 workers. The rig sank and the resulting gusher would eventually release nearly 206 million gallons of oil. The disaster dealt a new setback to a Gulf ecosystem already struggling with years of wetlands degradation and the destructive power of Hurricane Katrina.

“Two years later, the oil remains, the promises are forgotten, and Congress still hasn’t done its job,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Now that both the House and Senate have voted on the RESTORE Act, it is time to get a strong bill, without poison pills, to the President’s desk. The only fair and right solution is for fines from the oil disaster to be reinvested in the Gulf region to help the people and communities hurt by the disaster. A healthy Gulf ecosystem will lead to economic recovery.”

Transportation Bill Hits Dangerous Detour

April 18 – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a second 90-day extension of the existing transportation bill. The bill would extend transportation funding through September 30.

“House leaders are grandstanding on the Keystone pipeline once again for their oil company allies, but this effort to take the decision out of the hands of safety regulators should die in conference,” said Jeremy Symons, senior vice president for conservation and education of the National Wildlife Federation. “The Senate has already voted down this poison pill during their debate on the transportation bill, and the White House yesterday issued a veto threat if Keystone and other polluter loopholes are included in the bill.”

America’s Great Waters Coalition Designates New Waterways to Advocate for Restoration Needs

April 18 – From the Great Lakes to the Colorado River, from Puget Sound to the Everglades, our Great Waters are the lifeblood of our nation, providing critical jobs, drinking water, and amazing recreational opportunities for millions of people. Today, the America’s Great Waters Coalition adds the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin and the St. Johns River in Florida to its list of Great Waters. In addition, the Coalition is expanding the already recognized New York/New Jersey Harbor to include the Hudson River.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• Public News Service:  Report Recommends Mud Pies for Earth Day
• UPI: Lawmakers try again with Keystone XL
• The Grand Rapids Press: Question of the day: Are today’s kids too afraid of dirt?
• The Environment Report: Stopping Hitchhikers in Ballast Tanks
• The Ledger-Enquirer: Chattahoochee basin named one of America’s Great Waters

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Disney Recognizes Youth from Georgia, New Mexico for Conservation Efforts

April 13 – Four youth from Georgia and New Mexico were selected by the National Wildlife Federation as Youth Ambassadors to participate in Disney’s Kids and Nature Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

Brandon, Malcolm, Reena and Daveishena and other youth recognized by Disney, will participate in the first-ever Disney Friends of Change Youth Summit, the World Premier of Disneynature’s Chimpanzee with Dr. Jane Goodall, and will receive awards and recognition at the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Awards Ceremony.

“The youth chosen to receive the Disney Kids and Nature Champions Award represent a committed group of young people who care about protecting the natural world,” said Larry Schweiger, who will speak at the Celebration in Orlando.

Getting the Dirt on Dirt for Healthier, Happier Children

April 12 – Dirt is a four-letter word to many parents, but letting kids get dirty is actually good for them according to a new report from the National Wildlife Federation, The Dirt on Dirt: How Getting Dirty Outdoors Benefits Kids.

Fears about dangers lurking in the muck – microbes, parasites and amoebas, oh my! – keep some parents from letting kids do what comes naturally, which is to go outside and get messy. But here’s a dirty little secret: children who spend the better part of their free time in the company of their sterile hi-tech gadgets rather than playing outside, are more vulnerable to obesity, ADHD, vitamin D deficiency and depression.

Report: Reengineer Mississippi River Delta To Protect Nation’s Economic, Ecological Assets

April 11 – Building a series of engineered structures called diversions along the lower Mississippi River will yield tens of billions of dollars in net annual benefits to the nation and hedge against future disasters, according to a new report co-authored by 22 prominent scientists and engineers.

The report, “Answering 10 Fundamental Questions about the Mississippi River Delta,” makes a scientific and economic case for restoring the Mississippi River Delta wetlands, which have shrunk in size by nearly 1,900 square miles since the 1930s. The report also makes the case for reengineering the aging lower Mississippi River flood-control and navigation systems, which are increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic failures.

New NWF Report: A Degraded Gulf of Mexico

April 10 – As the two-year mark of the Deepwater Horizon blowout approaches, the National Wildlife Federation issued a new report today examining the health of the Gulf’s wildlife and wetlands. Impacts from the Gulf oil disaster will be unfolding for years, if not decades, and many species of wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico will need the combined efforts of scientists, policymakers and regulators to recover.

A Degraded Gulf Of Mexico: Wildlife and Wetlands Two Years into the Gulf Oil Disaster  was written by National Wildlife Federation Senior Scientist Dr. Doug Inkley.

Oil still in Louisiana’s marshes two years after start of Gulf Oil Disaster [w/Video and Photos]

April 10 – Two years after the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded, killing eleven men and spilling 5 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, oil remains a major threat to Louisiana’s wetlands. Biologists and wildlife advocates say the disaster is far from over — oil can still be found beneath the surface in marshes and it is impacting wildlife and exacerbating the erosion of the state’s coast.

NWF believes the most important step in restoration is the passage of the RESTORE Act, which would put the billions of dollars in fines that BP and the other responsible parties will pay to work on the damaged areas of the Gulf Coast. From sediment diversions to marsh creation and barrier island restoration, there are many projects that could significantly rebuild the wetlands if they only had the funding.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• Erie Times-News: All eyes on weather as trout season opens
• Associated Press: Many worry Ohio water plans will hurt Lake Erie
• Field & Stream: Conservation Update: The Oil Stopped Two Years Ago, but the Spill Continues
• Times-Picayune: National Wildlife Federation says Gulf of Mexico still suffering from oil spill
• United Press International: NWF says gulf oil spill threat long term
• The Advertiser: Report: Dolphins heavily affected by oil spill
• KATC: National Wildlife Federation Releasing Information on the State of the Gulf of Mexico
• EnergyWire (subscription required): Colo. county wants public lands opened to shale developers

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

Growing Risk for Taxpayers and Wildlife

April 4 – Good biofuel crops can make great invasive species. That’s one of the findings of a new report released today by the National Wildlife Federation. Growing Risk: Addressing the Invasive Potential of Bioenergy Feedstocks explores the challenges and policy solutions surrounding the use of non-native and potentially invasive bioenergy crops. Numerous non-native and genetically modified species are already being considered for use as biomass feedstocks. Growing these plants may appear to be a great source of homegrown renewable energy, but without proper precaution, producers run the risk of unleashing the next big invasive species catastrophe that could devastate native ecosystems, deplete scarce water resources and require significant resources to control.

“Invasive species cost taxpayers billions of dollars every year and put ecosystems and wildlife at risk,” said Aviva Glaser, legislative representative for agriculture policy for the National Wildlife Federation. “As bioenergy development moves forward, it is critical that feedstocks are chosen with care. Proper caution must be taken to minimize the risk of invasion and ensure that the next generation of bioenergy does not fuel the next invasive species problem.”

Award-Winning Calendar Portrays NWF’s Commitment to Conservation

April 2 – National Wildlife Federation has been named a Silver Award winner by the Calendar Marketing Association as part of its 2012 National and World Calendar Awards competition. National Wildlife Federation’s 2011-2012 calendar, Treasures of Wildlife, won in the Best Animal/Wildlife Photography category. The calendar features spectacular photos and fascinating facts about wildlife.

“We share this success with our members, who have supported our efforts since 1936,” said Anne Senft, National Wildlife Federation vice president of membership and online marketing. “Treasures of Wildlife not only features beautiful images of wildlife, it also highlights NWF’s promise to our members that we work 365 days a year to protect America’s wildlife and the wild places on which they depend.”

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• The Los Angeles Times: Climate change vs Easter bunnies
• High Country News: Biofuel crops invade gas tanks habitat
• Agri-Pulse (Audio): Wildlife group sounds alarm about invasive potential of bioenergy feedstocks
• Public News Service (FL): Report Asks: Biofuel Crop or Invasive Weed?
• Fly, Rod and Reel: Federal Plan to Automate and Expedite Public Lands Energy Development Draws Mixed Response

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

New Student Guide Offers Steps for Peer to Peer Campus Sustainability Training

March 30 – NWF and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) have released a new step-by-step guide to creating student peer-to-peer sustainability education programs—often known as “Eco-Rep” programs—on college campuses. Authored by Champlain College Sustainability Director Christina Erickson, “Student Sustainability Educators: A Guide to Creating and Maintaining an Eco-Rep Program on Your Campus” takes readers through the design, implementation and evaluation stages of an Eco-Rep program.

House Attacks on Wildlife, Air and Water Wouldn’t Close Budget Gap

March 29 – The U.S. House of Representatives today is expected to pass the budget plan written by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). A National Wildlife Federation analysis shows the plan would gut investments in natural resources that already make up only a tiny fraction of federal spending.

“The vast majority of Americans believe the federal government has a fundamental responsibility to help ensure that our air is clean, our water is safe to drink and our treasured National Parks, refuges and other public lands are protected for this and future generations,” said Josh Saks, legislative director of the National Wildlife Federation.

EPA Proposes Historic Limits to Industrial Carbon Pollution

March 27 – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever national carbon pollution limits for new power plant smokestacks. These long-awaited new air pollution standards are essential for reining in the climate change-causing carbon pollution that is increasingly endangering the nation’s public health and wildlife.  The new air pollution standards are the result of a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that found carbon dioxide and other air pollution from cars, power plants, and other sources is subject to the Clean Air Act. Despite that ruling and a subsequent 2011 Supreme Court ruling reinforcing the decision, it is expected that a number of big polluting utilities and coal interests will fight the standard.

Warming Winters Threaten America’s Outdoor Traditions

March 27 – Near-record warmth in the winter of 2011-2012 left both wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts scrambling to adapt – and it’s just a preview of what’s to come in a warming world, according to a new report from the National Wildlife Federation. On Thin Ice: Warming Winters Put America’s Hunting and Fishing Heritage at Risk tells the stories of how 2011-2012’s warm winter impacted hunters and anglers across America and details the steps we need to take now to protect those traditions for future generations.

Hill Ads Praise 76 Senators for Passing Gulf Restoration Amendment

March 27 – Capitol newspapers will run full-page color ads this week by six Gulf restoration advocacy groups thanking the 76 Senators who approved legislation to dedicate 80 percent of the Clean Water Act fines from the parties responsible for the Gulf oil spill to restoring the Gulf.

The ad copy says:

“On behalf of our members nationwide, we thank the 76 Senate leaders who voted in favor of restoring the ecosystems and economies of the Gulf region by passing the RESTORE Act as an amendment to the transportation bill.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• Politico: EPA hits greenhouse gas emissions from power plants
• Bloomberg: EPA Introduces First Greenhouse-Gas Limits for Power Plants
• The Los Angeles Times: Hunters, anglers report warming winters bad for wildlife
• Erie Times-News: Report examines effect of warmer winters on outdoor economy in Pa., other states
  
• Public News Service (NM): Warming Winters Hurt New Mexico Wildlife
• Public News Service (CO): Carbon Pollution Puts CO “On Thin Ice”
• The Times Picayune: Photos document BP oil still contaminates “cleaned” Louisiana marshes, state officials say
• Michigan Live: U.S. Coast Guard adopts ballast water standards to combat invasive species

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

NBCs Today: Don’t Poison Tar Sands Wolves – Watch

March 16 – Alongside hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie in the 8 a.m. hour of “The Today Show” on Friday, March 16, National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski and live wolves discussed how wolves are in mortal danger from tar sands! The national network program is the largest U.S. audience yet to learn about the impending wildlife catastrophe since the poisoning story surfaced.

Wild wolves and caribou have thrived in balance in Canada for generations in the country’s vast boreal forest, but now oil companies have moved in to extract tar sands oil. As fossil fuel activity destroys habitat for caribou herds, Canadian wildlife officials are expected to poison thousands of wolves with strychnine-laced bait and shoot them from helicopters. Strychnine is a deadly poison that causes an excruciating death. NWF is calling on the Canadian and Alberta governments not to scapegoat wolves, and to manage their environment responsibly.

Watch David’s Today Show Segment

Bipartisan Transportation Package a Major Conservation Victory

March 14 – The U.S. Senate today passed a sweeping transportation bill on a bipartisan vote.

“The Senate transportation bill is a laudable bipartisan milestone at a time when Congress seems otherwise paralyzed and deadlocked,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “The bill will help rebuild America and create thousands of new jobs in the process including in transit, bike paths and programs to help get kids to and from school safely. Most notably the bill includes two of the most important conservation investment measures in decades – the RESTORE Act, which would dedicate BP fines and penalties to Gulf restoration, and a long-term reauthorization and new funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.”

Read NWF’s joint statement with our Gulf Coast restoration partners here and the Vanishing Paradise statement here.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• The Los Angeles Times: Louisiana’s ambitious coastal vision
• Bloomberg: BP Reaches Estimated $7.8 Billion Deal With Spill Victims
• The Hill: Don’t let the sun go down on solar plan
• The Edmonton Herald: Pipeline a ‘major’ U.S. election issue

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News