The Hill

Director of Science Policy; Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Director

Kyla first became involved with PEER in the mid-1990s when she became a whistleblower herself. She previously worked at the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 for 10 years as a wetland permit reviewer and as the Region’s Wetlands Enforcement Coordinator. Kyla’s familiarity with science, the law, and the inner workings of state and federal governmental agencies enable her to assist public environmental employees throughout New England. She has a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Connecticut and a law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon.

3 whales on the path to extinction in US waters

by Kyla Bennett | April 7, 2021
“If current trends hold, the U.S. will earn the uniquely ignominious distinction of presiding over the extinction of three large whale species which largely or solely inhabit our waters. The extinction of any one of these whales would be a black eye for American conservation while ...

Scientific integrity, or more hot air?

by Jeff Ruch | April 4, 2021
“On Jan. 27, President Biden issued a more than 10-page executive memo to all agencies on the topic of scientific integrity. In an accompanying fact sheet, the White House claimed this action sends “a clear message that the Biden-Harris Administration will protect scientists ...

EPA investigates toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in pesticides

by Elizabeth Duan | March 8, 2021
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investigating the presence of toxic chemicals in pesticides, which may be coming from their plastic containers, it said on Friday. The statement comes after testing conducted by the environmental group Public Employees for Environmental ...

Justice Department lawyers acknowledge presidential transition in court filing

by Elizabeth Duan | January 4, 2021
“The Justice Department has acknowledged that a new administration will take office later this month in a recent court filing despite President Trump’s refusal to concede the election and the pressure on staff and officials to not acknowledge his defeat. Department lawyers argued ...

Park Service needs a new conservationist leader

by Jeff Ruch | November 16, 2020
“Today, four years into its second century, the National Park Service is stumbling forward into a new era, without a plan, a leader or, most importantly, a vision for how to both protect and enhance what is often called America’s best idea. The agency has just received one of the ...