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Urge the Bush administration not to weaken protections for our oceans and marine life

Even though our oceans and marine habitats are threatened by overfishing and other harms, the Bush administration has proposed regulations that would make the situation worse, not better. Send a comment right away telling the administration not to short-change our oceans and marine life.

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Director Alan Risenhoover, Office of Sustainable Fisheries

Dear Director Risenhoover,

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In 2006, as part of the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Congress called on the Secretary of Commerce to revise and update agency procedures to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations. Despite clear legislative history and intent, the proposed rule your agency issued in May fails to comply with current law and regulations in ways that would undermine the sustainability of our nation's fisheries and fisheries-based economies and the broader health of ocean and coastal ecosystems. I therefore urge you to withdraw the proposed rule.

I am specifically concerned about your proposals to establish an entirely new environmental review process (the "Integrated Fishery Environmental Management Statement"), delegate decisionmaking responsibilities from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the regional fishery management councils, and limit opportunities and time periods for public participation.

Thoughtful consideration of the impacts of fisheries management decisions plus incorporation of the viewpoints of diverse segments of the public are crucial to ensuring that our oceans and coasts, fish populations and marine and fisheries economies remain healthy and productive for generations to come. Please protect our oceans and coasts and the sustainability and profitability of our fisheries and fisheries economies by withdrawing your proposed rule.

Sincerely,

[Your name]
[Your address]

Sincerely,

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