Acknowledging the Legacy of Bill Ruckelshaus

 (NEW YORK – November 27, 2019) EDF President Fred Krupp issued the following statement recognizing the legacy of William D. Ruckelshaus, two-time head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a longstanding champion of America’s health and natural resources, who died earlier today at age 87.

“Environmental Defense Fund mourns the passing of Bill Ruckelshaus. He was a leader who repeatedly moved environmental issues forward in his career. He was appointed by President Richard Nixon to launch EPA when the agency was first established, and set a professional science-based tone for its work. In 1972, he personally answered EDF’s petition to ban DDT by signing a ban, which has led to more than a twentyfold increase in the population of the bald eagle, symbol of our country. The DDT ban also has resulted in the recovery of many other species, including brown pelicans, peregrine falcons, ospreys, and golden eagles. He rescued EPA during his second turn at the helm, restoring its leadership and professionalism. We are grateful for his leadership and ability to protect the environment while also engaging a broad spectrum of people in his deliberations.”

• Fred Krupp, EDF President