VUE

t's budget season for the American government — that special time of year when the various arms of our governing bodies come together to decide where and how we will spend our money during the upcoming fiscal year. (Ah yes, I can smell it now—chestnuts roasting on an open rider,* Jack Frost nipping at our potential government shutdown.) In the end, amongst the hundreds of government agencies vying for funding, there will be winners and there will be losers. As it stands now, the 2018 fiscal year is shaping up to be a real loser for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). The EPA is responsible for setting standards and enforcing regulations pertaining to water contamination, ground pollution and air quality. The FWS specializes in protecting animals on the endangered species list, enforcing hunting regulations and the conservation of wildlife habitats. Together, these agencies have served as the institutional stewards of our environment for a combined 126 years. This year, a proposed 32 percent cut across the board in regard to foreign assistance will limit the capacity of the EPA, the FWS, as well as many, lesser-known health, sustainability and environmental programs. It is yet to be seen whether or not Congress will accept these draconian cuts, but nevertheless we must prepare for a reality wherein the safety of the environment rests largely in the hands of the private sector, rather than government-run agencies. BY BRENNA HOLLAND VUE ON GIVING V U E N J . C O M 84

• Cover