Campaign Issue - Endangered Species Act

Administration Assault on ESA

America’s foremost environmental law is once again under threatened. At issue are Section 7 consultations with the endangered species experts at FWS and NOAA, which are currently mandatory for any federal agency where their actions may affect endangered species, even if no negative impacts are likely. This system of checks and balances helps ensure that the 90 birds and 1,263 other animals and plants that are on the Endangered Species List are adequately considered and protected by federal government actions.

The suggested new rules have been widened the remit to all federal agencies, meaning the effects of dams, mines, and other projects on endangered species could be left to agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers or Department of Energy to determine. Consultation with experts at the Fish and Wildlife Service is one of the cornerstones of the Endangered Species Act. Without oversight by experts whose mandate is to protect our threatened wildlife, the foxes in charge of the henhouse.

The new rules would allow agencies to determine on their own when their actions will have no effect on endangered species. In its Predecisional, Deliberative Draft document the Administration voiced confidence that “…federal agencies will err on the side of caution” in making these decisions; an assertion disputed by the conservation community.

American Bird Conservancy’s 2006 Endangered Species Act Report clearly demonstrates the benefit of a strong legislative foundation to our efforts to protect our most threatened birds. The Bald Eagle, Whooping Crane, Peregrine Falcon, among many others have seen their populations rise thanks to the ESA. At a time when so many of our birds are suffering long-term declines, protections should be increased, not reduced.

To view ABC’s official comments, visit www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/esa.pdf

Defenders of Wildlife fact sheet about Section 7

Environmental Defense comments

The deadline for public comment initially was only a 30-day public comment period prior to implementation (the minimum allowable by law), has subsequently been extended an additional 30 days – deadline is October 15th. To view the docket http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-18938.htm