Take Action for Endangered Whales, Sea Turtles, and Rays

A federal committee is considering exempting oil and gas operations in the waters of the Gulf from required safeguards for endangered and threatened wildlife species. What does this mean? Any and all oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities in the Gulf that could harm or kill Rice’s whales and other species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act could potentially be allowed—even without the most reasonable steps recommended by marine biologists to protect whales and other wildlife.

Wildlife in the Gulf would be exposed to more potential ship strikes, increased undersea air gun blasting, and more habitats being destroyed or contaminated with oil and deadly chemicals. Tell federal government officials that you say ‘NO’ to lifting endangered species protections to allow for expanded oil and gas drilling. We’ll also send a copy to your governor.

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Department of Interior

Doug

Bergum

Department of Interior

Dear Secretary Burgum and Endangered Species Committee,

I am opposed to the Endangered Species Committee granting an exemption under the U.S. Endangered Species Act with respect to oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities in the Gulf associated with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Program.

Enabling oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities in the Gulf that could needlessly harm or kill species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act—including whales, sea turtles and rays—is the wrong decision for America’s wildlife and our country. And especially wrong if the oil and gas projects can be done in a more wildlife-friendly and responsible manner. We shouldn’t cut corners on commonsense safeguards for America’s cherished wildlife to expedite or expand drilling – it can and must be done right, in accordance with the law.

The Administration, and oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf, should utilize the reasonable strategies that have been recommended by biologists for greatly reducing ship strikes that can hurt and kill Rice’s whales and other wildlife, along with other strategies to comply with protections called for under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

I am calling on the committee to say NO to lifting endangered species protections to allow for expedited oil and gas drilling.

Thank you. Sincerely,
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Take Action for Endangered Whales, Sea Turtles, and Rays

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Green sea turtle.
©John Starret/FWC

Giant manta ray.
NOAA/George Schmahl

Rice’s whale
Photo taken under NMFS MMPA permit #21938 Southeast Fisheries Science Center/NOAA

Take Action for Endangered Whales, Sea Turtles, and Rays

Your Information

Personalize Your Message

Green sea turtle. ©John Starret/FWC

Giant manta ray. NOAA/George Schmahl

Rice’s whale Photo taken under NMFS MMPA permit #21938 Southeast Fisheries Science Center/NOAA

Green sea turtle.
©John Starret/FWC

Giant manta ray.
NOAA/George Schmahl

Rice’s whale
Photo taken under NMFS MMPA permit #21938 Southeast Fisheries Science Center/NOAA