Reject reauthorization bill that threatens critically endangered killer whales, salmon, and steelhead in Oregon.

Species that are already critically endangered, including killer whales, salmon, and steelhead in the Pacific Northwest, may be further imperiled by a reauthorization bill that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives. As it stands, the scarcity of chinook salmon—the main food source for the iconic southern resident killer whale—has resulted in the smallest whale population that the Puget Sound has seen in over three decades. Only 74 of the orcas remain; and for both whales and salmon, damage to their habitat from the development of dams and floodplains is to blame. If this reauthorization bill passes the Senate, the severe impact of this development will be allowed to continue unchecked, despite a 2016 requirement from the National Marine Fisheries Service that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) take action to address the problem.

The bill is a reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, which contains the damaging provision allowing FEMA to delay action to minimize the impact of harmful floodplain development for three more years. As Ryan Shannon of the Center for Biological Diversity states, “Southern resident killer whales and salmon are desperately in need of help, so this provision kicks these animals when they’re down. FEMA has already stalled on helping killer whales and salmon recovery. More delays will push this beloved orca population closer to extinction.” He also points out, “This provision is little more than a handout to developers seeking to build in the floodplain. Orcas and salmon can’t wait for habitat protections.” He says the bill condemns these innocent creatures even while “we’re already seeing them dying out before our very eyes.” Sign below to demand protection for these iconic species, and that this dangerous reauthorization bill be rejected.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Senator McConnell,

Endangered species in the Pacific Northwest, including the chinook salmon and the southern resident killer whale, are suffering greatly, and protecting them must be priority. The reauthorization bill recently passed by the House of Representatives contains an extremely irresponsible and dangerous provision that would allow FEMA to stall for yet another three years on addressing the critical consequences that floodplain development is having on these species and their habitat. This cannot be allowed to stand.

The population of these Puget Sound orcas is the lowest it has been in 30 years. As the Center for Biological Diversity’s Ryan Shannon said in a statement, “Southern Resident killer whales and salmon are desperately in need of help, so this provision kicks these animals when they’re down. FEMA has already stalled on helping killer whales and salmon recovery. More delays will push this beloved orca population closer to extinction…..This provision is little more than a handout to developers seeking to build in the floodplain.” You have a responsibility to protect the future of our country, and that means prioritizing our environment and all of the creatures that live in it. I urge you to ensure the protection of these endangered species, and not to pass this dangerous and irresponsible bill. Best regards zoo-bio.co.uk