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WASHINGTON—Today, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt of the Waters of the United States Rule, which protects America's wetlands and streams. In response, the ���Ĵ�ý issued the following statement:

“Clean water is the key to life, and protecting wetlands and streams is good for every person and bird in America,” said David Yarnold (), president and CEO of ���Ĵ�ý.

“By playing games with the safety of our water, the administration puts us in danger and gives a free lunch to special interests. Wasn’t Flint a strong enough message?

“Millions of birds like herons, cranes and migratory ducks depend on clean and healthy wetlands and streams all across the country. We need a science-based plan for keeping our water clean. Is that too much to ask?

“���Ĵ�ý will continue working at the local, state and federal level to fight for clean water for all of us.”

Removing these safeguards will threaten America’s isolated wetlands, which provide crucial habitat for millions of ducks and geese in particular. Many migratory species such as the Mallard, Blue-winged Teal and Northern Pintail spend much of their lives in places protected under the Obama-era WOTUS rule. Their breeding grounds in the Prairie Potholes Region and wintering grounds along the Gulf Coast will now face an uncertain future after President Trump’s executive order.

���Ĵ�ý strongly encourages using the best-available science to determine commonsense protections for birds and the places they need. Click to read more about how clean water safeguards and other Environmental Protection Agency regulations have helped birds and people.

The ���Ĵ�ý protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. ���Ĵ�ý’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, ���Ĵ�ý’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. ���Ĵ�ý is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at  and @audubonsociety.

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Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, ngonzalez@audubon.org, 212-979-3068.