WASHINGTON - October 3 - A new report released today shows that large ocean-going ships - such as cruise ships and container ships - in U.S. waters, are big pollution emitters. These large ships release dangerous diesel pollution that threatens the health of U.S. port communities, are a major source of urban smog pollution, and are one of the world's largest emitters of global warming gases. 

SAN FRANCISCO - October 3 - The federal government today will publish its finding outlining its intention to consider designating areas in the main Hawaiian Islands as critical habitat for endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The finding, to be published in the Federal Register, comes in response to a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, and Ocean Conservancy.

PORTLAND, Ore. - October 2 - The Center for Biological Diversity today filed five separate lawsuits concerning Bush Administration political interference in designation of critical habitat for six western species, including the western snowy plover, California tiger salamander, southwestern willow flycatcher, Buena Vista Lake shrew and two California plants.

WASHINGTON - October 1 - On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, American Rivers today called on Congress to renew its commitment to protect the nation's clean water and river heritage by passing bills to add more than 850 miles of rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

"We have come a long way in 40 years, but we still have a long way to go. There are 3.5 million miles of rivers in our country, and less than one percent are protected," said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers.

MISSOULA, Mont. - September 30 - A recent federal decision refusing to protect wolverines in the western United States is a case of political considerations winning out over scientific findings by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service experts, according to a coalition of 10 conservation groups that filed suit today in U.S. district court. The groups are challenging the agency's decision to deny wolverines protection under the Endangered Species Act.

TOLEDO - September 30 - Local public officials from Northwest Ohio will join American Rivers staff tomorrow on a tour through Chicago and Milwaukee to show off the cities' commitments to green infrastructure. The tour will begin in Chicago at the Center for Green Technology and end at the Johnson's Park neighborhood in Milwaukee.

WASHINGTON - September 30 - A federal judge has ordered the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to reinstate rules aimed at protecting critically endangered right whales, humpbacks and fin whales from deadly entanglements in fishing gear.

The preliminary injunction ruling, issued late Friday, came in a case brought by Defenders of Wildlife and The Humane Society of the United States regarding the agency's decision to roll back existing protections for these whales while delaying implementation of new, more protective fishing gear requirements.