Interdisciplinary Minor in Global Sustainability

University of California, Irvine 

Issue Guide:

Endangered Species Act: Violations and attacks by the Bush Administration

 

 

August 12, 2008: BUSH PROPOSAL BYPASSES ENDANGERED SPECIES EXPERTS

Bush Administration Proposes Draft Regulations Gutting Protections for Nation's Endangered Species;
Proposal Would Exempt All Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Endangered Species Act Oversight  

The Center for Biological Diversity reports that the Department of Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have violated the listing and critical habitat provisions of the Endangered Species Act for 55 species. The violations all stem from the overruling of USFWS scientists by high ranking bureaucrats in the White House Office of Budget and Management, the Department Interior, and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Write with your comments on the Administration Proposal OR on the CBD report to:

Honorable Dirk Kempthorne
Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240

Honorable Dale Hall
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240

Search Thomas for "endangered species" to find pending legislation on this issue

Background on the Endangered Species Act:

·          Requires the Secretary of the Interior (through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service) to identify and publish lists of species that are endangered or threatened

·          The lists include both U.S. and foreign species, and include animals, plants and invertebrates.

·          Decision whether to list must be based solely on the biological evidence

·          Anybody that can provide adequate evidence can make a proposal for listing.

·          Recognizes that species have aesthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the nation and its people.

·          The Supreme Court has interpreted the ESA to mean that the value of species cannot be calculated, and that listed species should be protected whatever the cost

Other issue guides 

Your comments and suggestions on this document are welcome. Please send them to:
Dr. Peter J. Bryant (pjbryant@uci.edu)
School of Biological Sciences
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697, USA
Phone (949) 824-4714 Fax (949) 824-3571