Lawmakers consider changes to the “Marine Mammals Protection Act’

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Famous wildlife biologist and TV host Jeff Corwin was on Capitol Hill this week to fight changes lawmakers are considering to the ‘Marine Mammals Protection Act.’ 

“Time tested pillars of American conservation are on the chopping block,” Corwin said.

Republican Congressman Nick Begich is leading the proposal to change the MMPA, which he says is currently confusing and overly burdensome for coastal communities. 

“This draft aims to bring clarity, objectivity, and balance back into the implementation of the MMPA,” Begich said.

Corwin believes the proposed reforms would seriously weaken regulations in the law that have protected whales, seals, otters, polar bears, and other marine mammals since the 70s. 

“We have some species right now that are on life support, and they are only on life support because of these programs. So this is the worst of times to be pulling the plug,” Corrine said. 

Congresswoman Harriet Hageman spoke in support of the drafted reforms in a hearing on Wednesday, saying the regulatory changes are crucial to a larger Republican objective.

“Advancing the Trump administration’s goal to unleash America’s energy resources,” Hageman said. 

Democrats are fighting the proposal. Congressman Jared Huffman made the case in the legislative hearing that Republican’s planned reforms would undo decades of conservation progress. 

“This bill amounts to a death sentence for many marine mammals and one of team extreme’s most dangerous proposals yet,” Huffman said. 

Corwin says there are many examples of specific consequences that could result from the proposed changes. 

“Within a decade or two the North Atlantic right whale will be extinct,” Corwin said. “The programs and management to help recover the Florida manatee, that will go away.”

Corwin says this shouldn’t be a partisan debate, because conserving wildlife impacts everyone. 

“We are at the brink of losing resources that our next generations will depend upon, and that’s why I think this is so important,” Corwin said.