Former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt said Wednesday House Republicans are taking the “most radical course in our history” on the environment.

The former Democratic Arizona governor called on President Barack Obama to stand up to Republicans against new environmental budget riders like those that delisted wolves in Idaho and defunded Obama’s “wild lands” BLM wilderness inventory. He said the passage of the wolf rider and its signature by Obama now threatened the “historic achievement” of wolf restoration to Yellowstone and the Rockies.

“I agree with those who say the reintroduction of gray wolf has been an astounding success and that some control, hunting if you will, is a perfectly reasonable policy,” Babbitt told reporters at the National Press Club and by phone. “The problem is this Congress took the most radical position possible.”

Babbitt said he preferred Congress had simply adjusted the “take” restrictions pertaining to killing of wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

Instead, “they set a precedence that I think merits kind of concern that has been expressed,” Babbitt said.

He highlighted three ways in which the Obama Administration could lead on conservation, including the use of the Antiquities Act to establish new National Monuments, pressuring Congress to expand the National Wilderness Preservation System and enhancing protections for our oceans resources.

“Mr. President, America’s great outdoors is under attack as never before.,” Babbitt said. “We need you to stand up to this assault as only the President can.”

Read all of Babbitt’s speech.