Coalition Joins Comments Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act

May 19, 2025 Federal eRulemaking Portal www.regulations.gov Docket: FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034 Re: Comments Regarding Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act: 90 Fed. Reg. 16102 (April 17, 2025) Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Lutnick: These comments are filed by Earthjustice on behalf of the sixty-six undersigned organizations. The undersigned organizations and their members work

Six Questions to Ask Secretary Burgum at Hearings This Week

May 19 2025   This week, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum will testify in front of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday May 20 and in front of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday May 21.   This administration has made devastating cuts to national parks staff, setting up a potential crisis.

Coalition Opposes Rescinding the Definition of Harm under the Endangered Species Act

Electronic Submission – No Hard Copy to Follow Submitted via – https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/17/2025-06746/rescinding-the-definition-of-harm-under-the-endangered-species-act May 19, 2025 Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Subject: Document FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001, Rescinding the Definition of Harm under the Endangered Species Act Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Lutnick: I am writing on

Judge Blocks Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

Judge Blocks Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government PRESS RELEASE MAY 9, 2025 Case Reflects Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government without Congressional Approval Washington, D.C. – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California San Francisco Division today issued a temporary restraining order to block the Trump administration’s

Member Oped: Protect our national parks, don’t exploit them

May 7, 2025 Opinion by Mike Soukup National Parks are a beautiful reflection of our country’s magnificent national and cultural heritage.  Their protection is a high form of patriotism and worldwide source of inspiration.  National Parks also generate significant revenue for national, regional, and local economies.  From all angles National Parks are a good deal

5 Former Directors of the National Park Service Send Letter to Secretary Burgum Stating His Recent Order Is “Contradictory With The Law And The Intent Of Congress”

5 Former Directors of the National Park Service Send Letter to Secretary Burgum Stating His Recent Order Is “Contradictory With The Law And The Intent Of Congress” Letter Also Signed By 8 Deputy Directors  Today, nearly every living former Director of the National Park Service sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum

NPS Retirees: Our Public Lands Are Not For Sale

Release Date: May 7, 2025 NPS Retirees: Our Public Lands Are Not For Sale Reconciliation Package Includes the Potential Sale of Public Lands Washington, D.C. — In the middle of the night, Republicans in the House Committee on Natural Resources introduced a last-minute amendment to the budget reconciliation package allowing for land sell-offs in Nevada

Former NPS Directors and Leaders to Burgum: Ensure the Protection of our National Parks

May 8, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC, 20240 Dear Secretary Burgum: As former senior leaders of the National Park Service (NPS), we are writing to express our concerns about Secretarial Order 3426, which states that, “that all park units remain open and accessible to

Coalition Opposed to Ambler Road Provisions In Budget Reconciliation Bill

  May 6, 2025 The Honorable Bruce Westerman Chairman Committee on Natural Resources Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Jared Huffman Ranking Member Committee on Natural Resources Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman: I am writing to you today on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, a non-profit organization

House Committee On Natural Resources Reconciliation Bill Will Endanger Public Lands

House Committee On Natural Resources Reconciliation Bill Will Endanger Public Lands  Coalition To Protect America’s National Parks Urges Committee To Reject Bill That Prioritizes The Interests Of Oil and Gas Industry Over the Interest Of Taxpayers  In response to bill language put out by the House Committee on Natural Resources for their portion of the

UPDATE: Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments Seek Emergency Relief in Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

UPDATE: Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments Seek Emergency Relief in Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government PRESS RELEASE MAY 2, 2025 Reorganization and Massive Reductions in Force Across Federal Agencies Violate Core Constitutional Concepts of Separation of Powers Case Reflects Largest and Most Significant Challenge to President’s Authority to Remake Government

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls Reports of Large Scale RIFs At National Park Service “Worst Case Scenario”

Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks Calls Reports of Large Scale RIFs At National Park Service “Worst Case Scenario” In response to reports that the Interior Department has begun a reduction in force (RIF) that will be “deep and blunt” at the National Park Service, Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America’s

Coalition to Sec. Burgum: Uphold Roosevelt’s “Conservation Ethic” and Defer Leasing Near Theodore Roosevelt NP

ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION – NO HARD COPY TO FOLLOW April 28, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum, Secretary Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington DC 20240 Subject: Proposed oil and gas leasing on BLM lands adjacent to Theodore Roosevelt National Park Dear Secretary Burgum: I am writing to you today on behalf of the

Massive Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments File Omnibus Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government

Published by Democracy Forward April 28, 2025 Statements: Massive Coalition of Unions, Non-Profit Groups, and Local Governments File Omnibus Challenge to Unconstitutional Reorganization of Federal Government APRIL 28, 2025 A coalition that includes nationwide labor organizations, vital non-profit groups, and local cities and counties in California, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, and Washington all united today to

RIFs At National Park Service Would Make A Dire Situation Far Worse

For Immediate Release: April 24, 2025 RIFs At National Park Service Would Make A Dire Situation Far Worse In response to reports that the Interior Department has begun a process that is likely to lead to a reduction in force (RIF) at the National Park Service, Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect

Ahead of National Park Week, New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez & National Park Advocates Warn of Staffing Crisis

Ahead of National Park Week, New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez & National Park Advocates Warn of Staffing Crisis As Millions of Americans Head to Public Lands, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and Vet Voice Foundation Call Out Dangerous Staffing Cuts and Political Interference in Park Operations, Oppose Public Lands Sell-off Full Recording and Transcript

Our Nation’s National Parks Are Barreling Towards A Crisis

  As we head into the holiday weekend, and the start of National Park Week –  and with the busy summer season on the horizon –  the Trump Administration is trying to assure Americans that despite the administration’s cuts to staff and  attempts to gut resources, national parks are operating as normal. Don’t believe their

Coalition Supports Legislation to Establish Chesapeake National Recreation Area

Van Hollen, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Establish Chesapeake National Recreation Area   WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) renewed his effort in Congress to create a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). The CNRA Act proposes to unite a series of voluntarily contributed park areas and iconic Bay properties under the operation of the National

Coalition Statement Responding to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:       Nick Voutsinos, nv********@****me.org   Tim Kauffman, ti**********@**ge.org  Erik Molvar, em*****@***************ds.org  Emily Thompson, Em************@********ps.org  Christian Hall, pr***@*********************rs.org Matt Corridoni, ma************@******ts.org Cade Cannedy, ca**********@***********es.org Naveed Shah, na****@***********se.us  April 8, 2025 Coalition Statement Responding to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Public Service Unions, Small Business, Veterans and Conservation Organizations, and Rule of Law Advocates Vow

Coalition Stands With Senators Heinrich and Hickenlooper in Defending Parks and Public Lands

Coalition Stands With Senators Heinrich and Hickenlooper in Defending Parks and Public Lands During last night’s vote-a-rama, the Senate dismissed the bipartisan amendment from Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) opposing the sale of public lands to pay for the reconciliation bill. Emily Thompson, Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National

Coalition Speaks on Interior Secretary’s Order for National Parks To Be Open And Accessible

UPDATE | Interior Secretary Orders National Parks To Be Open And Accessible By Kurt Repanshek April 3, 2025 Editor’s note: This includes reaction from the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum late Thursday afternoon ordered that the National Park Service ensure that the National Park System “is properly staffed to support

Letter to Secretary Burgum on Concerns Over Transparency and Military at Big Bend NP

  April 3, 2025 The Honorable Doug Burgum Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Secretary Burgum: We are writing to you today with a sense of urgency on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and the Association of National Park Rangers. Our organizations offer