Bush Administration Moves to Gut Endangered Species Act

[HCE SuiGeneris]

I know this was posted previously, but I thought it worthy of further notice. The only possible reason to do this is for corporate exploitation at the expense of our precious diversity. Raise your voice please, and send a message to your representative.

Hush-hush proposal "a no-holds-barred end run around one of America's most popular laws"

March 27, 2007


Washington, DC -- A secret draft of regulations that fundamentally rewrite the Endangered Species Act was leaked to two environmental organizations, which provided them to the press last night. An article in Salon quotes Earthjustice attorney Jan Hasselman saying, "The proposed changes fundamentally gut the intent of the Endangered Species Act."

The changes are fiercely technical and complicated, but make future listings extremely difficult, redefine key concepts to the detriment of protected species, virtually hand over administration of the act to hostile states, and severely restrict habitat protections.

Many of the changes -- lifted from unsuccessful legislative proposals from then-Senator (now Interior Secretary) Dirk Kempthorne and the recently defeated congressman Richard Pombo -- are reactions to policies and practices established as a result of litigation filed by environmental organizations including Earthjustice.

http://www.earthjustice.org/news/press/007/bush-administration-rewrite-of-endangered-species-act-regulations-would-gut-protections.html

[depakid]

1. This is an abuse of discretion and the agency will lose in Court

Today's decision in Massachusetts v EPA pretty well confirms that.

[Sequoia]

2. and Chimpy thought he had them in the palm of his hand.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

3. Glad to hear that. Thanks for the info. n/t