Protect Endangered Species From Harmful Pesticides

When it comes to the environment and the lives of our endangered species, sometimes the best option is to utilize the law.

The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a notice of intent to sue to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to adequately regulate almost 400 pesticides that are harmful to endangered species. The lawsuit also addresses violations to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act because EPA registered pesticides that are known to be harmful to migratory bird populations.

Application of pesticides such as carbofuran to crops can result in as many as 17 bird kills for every five acres treated. But that's just the beginning. The lawsuit references 887 endangered and threatened species that may be harmed by pesticide use. Just a few of these are the Florida panther, California condor, northern Aplomado falcon, mountain yellow-legged frog, California tiger salamander and the Indiana bat.
It is frightening to think that there are more than a billion pounds of pesticides used in the U.S. each year. Pesticide contamination can be found in drinking water, aquatic habitat and groundwater. And because of the nature of water flow, pesticides can end up many miles away from where they were applied, affecting animal populations and humans that are nowhere near the application site. This is a bold but absolutely necessary move by the Center for Biological Diversity. Please sign this pledge today to voice your support for this legal action!