Number: 2001-07
WHEREAS, many species of wildlife are threatened by loss of habitat, degradation of water supplies, and the effects of climate change resulting from human activities; and
WHEREAS, harmful activities, such as wetlands destruction and discharge of toxic chemicals, have been identified that threaten habitat and wildlife, and degrade land, water and air; and
WHEREAS, laws have been passed at all levels of government to prevent and control such practices and thus protect wildlife, prevent loss of habitat, and protect land, water, and air; and
WHEREAS, the success of the laws depends on compliance with those laws by regulated entities; and
WHEREAS, compliance is assured through regular inspections and enforcement actions appropriate to the violation; and
WHEREAS, compliance monitoring serves to identify threats to natural resources at the local, state, regional, and national levels; and
WHEREAS, rigorous enforcement of laws serves as a deterrent to potential violators; and
WHEREAS, federal, tribal state, and local governments show varying degrees of commitment to enforcement of environmental laws; and
WHEREAS, public reporting by agencies of compliance information and enforcement activities supports the rights of citizens to know whether environmental laws are being followed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation at its Annual Meeting assembled April 4-6, 2001 in Washington, DC, supports diligent compliance with, and rigorous governmental and citizen enforcement of, environmental laws as means to protect natural resources and wildlife; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges federal, tribal, state, and local governments to dedicate resources to the enforcement of environmental laws adequate to ensure success of those laws; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports measures to bar repeat violators from bidding on public works projects or other government contracts, obtaining leases to extract natural resources from public lands, or receiving such public benefits as discretionary grants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports the rights of citizens to know whether environmental laws are being complied with, and if not, whether appropriate enforcement actions are being taken; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges federal, tribal, state, and local governments to ensure compliance with environmental laws and the rights of their citizens to know whether environmental laws are being complied with, and if not, whether appropriate enforcement actions are being taken, and to resist proposals that would; (1) decrease efforts to monitor compliance with environmental laws, (2) weaken governmental and citizen enforcement, or (3) interfere with the citizens’ right to know.