Take action now: Tell the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect monarch butterflies!

In the 1980s approximately 4.5 million butterflies spent the winter along the California coast. This year there were only around 30,000. The Fish and Wildlife Service could take concrete, meaningful steps right now to help monarchs recover. But we need you to pressure the agency to act!

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Dear Greg Sheehan,

I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to accept the “enhancement of survival” permit application for monarch butterflies (Docket ID: FWS-R3-ES-2019-0007). As part of the plan, I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to agree to offer the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) to species in danger, and not to preclude those listed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA), agree to zone specific Best Management Practices (BMP) under the CCAA for the monarch butterfly, and eliminate insecticides and herbicides that imperil monarchs.

Monarch butterflies are in serious decline and at risk of becoming an endangered species. In the past 20 years, monarch butterflies have declined by a staggering 90%. Scientists predict that there is a 20% chance their numbers will decline to a point of irreversibility. Insecticide use and habitat loss are major contributing factors leading to the rapid disappearance of monarch butterflies.

Along with other pollinators, monarch butterflies allow our ecosystem and food system to flourish. Pollinators are essential for 75% of the world's food crops and as much as $577 billion worth of annual global food production relies directly on contributions by pollinators.

I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to not only approve the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for the monarch butterfly, but take additional steps to ensure that the monarch butterfly is protected and capable of recovering. I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to offer the CCAA to species in danger, and not to preclude those listed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Moreover, I ask that even if a species is provided the CCAA, that it still be covered under ESA protections if it is classified as endangered.

Furthermore, I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to agree to zone specific Best Management Practices (BMP) under the CCAA for the monarch butterfly. Monarchs will not be effectively protected if energy and transportation companies apply a general land protection policy to monarchs nationwide. Energy and transportation companies must adhere to zone specific BMP’s to ensure that monarch habitats are protected appropriately and effectively given the particular region. Finally, a major factor contributing to the decline of monarch butterflies is the use of toxic insecticides, such as glyphosate. I strongly request the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ban the use of insecticides and herbicides that imperil monarchs under this agreement.

The facts are clear. If action is not taken, monarch butterflies will decline to a level of near total loss. I urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect monarch butterflies under the CCAA. I ask that you take additional steps not to preclude monarchs if they fall into the ESA, agree to zone specific BMP’s, and ban the use of herbicides and insecticides that harm monarchs.

Sincerely,
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