MERKLEY, WYDEN, COLLEAGUES URGE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO END STAFFING CRISIS AT FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, WARN OF DEVASTATING IMPACTS TO ECOSYSTEMS AND PUBLIC LANDS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley issued the following press release:

Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)-the top Democrat overseeing funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)-and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)-former chairman and current senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources-joined their colleagues in urging (https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/u-s-fish-and-wildlife-sees-nearly-20-drop-in-staff-since-trump-took-office/) the administration to immediately address and reverse the staffing crisis at the FWS, which has lost the capacity to properly manage most of America's wildlife refuges, putting in jeopardy the ability to protect endangered wildlife species under the Service's care....