Critics say Bush plan would weaken endangered species protection

The Bush administration is proposing a major change in the way the federal government decides whether wildlife and plants deserve protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Critics say the move, which is subject to a 30-day comment period before it can be put into effect, would dramatically weaken what has long been seen as a crucial law saving plants, animals, birds and fish from extinction.

The Interior Department unveiled a plan under which independent scientific reviews, which for three decades have been required to determine the protection status of potentially endangered species, would be eliminated. Instead, individual federal agencies would determine whether protected species would be imperiled by agency projects.

The Washington Post noted that "under current law, agencies must subject any plans that potentially affect endangered animals and plants to an independent review by the Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The paper added:

Under the proposed new rules, dam and highway construction and other federal projects could proceed without delay if the agency in charge decides they would not harm vulnerable species.

It was the second time in recent months that the administration moved away from reliance on the views of government scientists to put more decision making in the hands of agencies run by political appointees.

In a key decision at the Environmental Protection Agency dealing with global warming, senior officials circumvented the recommendations of professional staff scientists and yielded to pressure from Vice President Dick Cheney's office to relax regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said in a statement the change in the way the Endangered Species Act is carried out represented "another in a continuing stream of proposals to repeal our landmark environmental laws through the back door."

Footnote: Within hours after the Associated Press reported the proposed shift, an environmental group, the Endangered Species Coalition, had used it as the basis for an e-mail fundraising appeal, saying the plan "abandons the nation's commitment to protect endangered species from global warming and fast-tracks oil and gas mining, logging and development regardless of the impacts to our nation's wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction."

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo of bald eagle: James Gerstenzang / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Jane Smith]

I would say this is the response from the administration to the end run the environmentalist and lawyers pulled by getting the polar bear put on the endangered list to stop drilling in ANWR and anywhere for that matter. Polar bear population in total has increased in the past 30 years by substantial numbers. Yes certain pockets of bears are decreasing due to sea ice melts, but the majority of bears are thriving and increasing in number.

[Jeff]

I'm a Republican and even I can see that Bush & Cheney (especially) seem to be doing anything they can to screw us over before they leave office. They are only interested in helping out big business who can give them kickbacks and couldn't care less about what is best for the environment or what WE, the people, actually want. Jan. 20 will not be soon enough. It seems it will be very important to watch everything they do in these last months of their Regime.

[Justin Jordak]

Big Surprise that it is buisness as usual for the Bush Administration. These people are despicable in any and all of their dealings. All of the proposals ideas and plan layed out by Cheney Bush and associated underlings are absolute trash that undermine this country, Ecologically Economically and Morally. Administration Change can not come fast enough! This is another demonstration that proves that our disgrace of a 43rd President will continue to try to destroy our country until the last second he remains on Pennsylvania Ave.

[Kwai Chang Caine]

I can not beleive how much control over our indivudual freedoms we've given to the Federal Government in the last 7 years. They have managed to revoke just about every possible civil protection, and destroyed the checks and balances system that has been in place for over 200 years, all in the name of National Security. Now they want to let each Federal Agency determine whether their prospective project will be detrimental to endangered spieces? Talk about puting the fox in charge of hen house security!

For the first time ever, I am actually ashamed to admit that I am a Republican, and I will be extremely glad when Obama takes office in January of next year.

[Christopher]

It makes me so sad to see the leaders of my government sidestepping laws and undermining the spirit of what "We The People" means. What a shame.

[kathy green]

Every single one of US needs to call our government representatives and demand that this assault on our environmental heritage is stopped. I agree with all those who have posted that this is the Bush Administrations massive thumbing of its nose to those who look beyond our own noses to what kind of planet our grandchildren will inherit. We simply cannot put up with this. Please contact your reps and tell them so.

[James Hagan`]

As an environmentalist and a liberal I am still in favor of the new Bush plan. If the wackos are allowed to prevail, we won't be able to obtain any oil from the ground ocean or wild. This unrealistic group put animals above humans and provide no evidence for the spillage of oil except for a drunken sea captain grounding an oil tanker. Some agree with this outlandish no drill principle, but common sense dictates action for humans over the wildlife. I give several hundred dollars to wildlife funds worldwide each year,which is a lot more than some of the fringe environmentalists. Incidentally the past year had an increase in world ice content and coincidentally an increase in the polar bear population. Wake up to realism.

[Tarsus Endri]

It is clear that we need leadership that is enlightened and aware of our Earth's declining health and actually step forward with solutions or at least support third party solutions aimed at bettering the health of our ecosystems. The Republicans have already screwed us over many times and now the sight of them proposing the government to control the decisions in which species of trees and animals are to be listed endangered just disgusts me to no end. Its safe to say that the Republicans have completely lost my vote and confidence for them to lead with in the coming future; now its time to see what good the Democrats can do to fix the plethora of defecation the Republicans have left behind and then some. At times like these I always wish third party entities and/or large businesses alike can just band together and create their own private security corps to impede the progress of harming this earth further in terms of mining, drilling and opening up nationally protected species and land.

I will gladly give a middle finger to both George Bush and John McCain, as well as to every single other Republican I meet with.

[Carol]

We would be far better off if we drilled for our own oil. It really is sickening that we are limited by the preservation of certain animals which really are not extinct at all! We need to rely on ourselves to provide what we need! Why are we constantly at the mercy of other countries when we have the resources right in our own backyard? We have become too dependent on other countries for our survival. Let's take hold of our great country and what it can provide for us!! We won't run out of resources; Mother Nature provides all that we need! God is in control!

[Lou]

It's about time we had a leader who is willing to bring some common sense to the abusive practices of the environmentalist freaks. For over 30 years environmentalists have successfully waged war on private property rights and wrecked our economy by refusing to budge on ANYTHING that isn't wind or solar powered. Those of you claiming to be republicans are liars. This is what it's come down to: liberals pretending to be republicans so they can bash republicans. You are all so pathetic.

[apache girl]

Boy are the environmentalist hypocritical. They can save all the trees they want. Personally I prefer toilet paper (made from their precious trees) to using my finger. I suppose they don't care what they smell like. I am old enough to remember the hippies of the sixties.

[Craig]

Opening up our environment is a good thing, as it would allow America to prosper once again. Doing it without regulation is bad however, in that it allows our government to rampage around without remorse. I don't believe that any one person should suffer because of a plants near-extinction... grab a few seeds and plant 'em in your hydroponic planters, tree huggers. As far as the comment about polar bears, yes, they are majestic animals... go give one a bear hug, and see if it cares that you sacrificed your life to ensure that it didn't go extinct. As far as ANWR is concerned, how many people who don't want drilling in northern Alaska have ever (or will ever) gone there? I would wager that number is very, very few... why not open it up, so the caribou herd flourishes, and gives the polar bears more food to live on? Makes perfect conservationist sense to me!

[Jim Talbot]

The worlds Oil reserves will run out before the year 2100.
Drill for our own oil? We would not see a drop in prices or a drop of oil for ten years. shouldn't we be well on our way to finding alternatives?
Of course not McBushie & his cronies will make sure they bleed us dry first.
Wake up America you've been sold out by our "president" for oil $
Where is the outrage?!?!?! Mcbushie you have shamed your own constituents.
Let's hope he can be brought up on charges.

[Terry Bet]

Thank God something is finally being done to stop the rabid socialist/fascist/idiotic environmentalist Bush haters! The damage they are doing to mankind with their ridiculous ideolgy is putting us all in danger. This planet has cleaner air,water and more animal life than ever before,they just have been brainwashed with all of the liberal crap, which if left as is,will destroy the planet,not Bush or any Republican! The communist manifesto was written with the ideals to win over the weak underbelly of our country,and listed the environmentalist,animal rights activists,and anti-war crowd as thier pawns , and amazingly the idiots fall for it! Just get them in a debate and they can't win. Beware of the Global Warming Myth,its already doing damage; ie: incandescent bulbs full of mercury,ethanol causing food prices to soar,non drilling creating high fuel prices,and a whole lot more. This is exactly what they want!

[Cal]

Political appointees replacing hard science....give me a break. Of course this is the administration that thinks the world is only 5000 years old and we used to ride around on dinosaurs. This is a sad sad day for America. What ever happened to setting a good example for the world?

I think it's about time we considered the needs of human beings. Animals and plant species are fine, but consider the term. "Survival of the fittest".

Some farmers have been put out of business because of some mouse or frog or bug or fish. If eco-freaks are running the planet, where do the humans fit in. Tell me what these people are driving and where they are living. Are they deciding what happens to the majority or are we going back to horse and buggy days and no electricity.

I think eco-freaks should leave the rest of us alone

[Myron Pitts]

While this move is annoying, it will be thankfully undone in the first term of the next president. Almost certainly in an Obama presidency and likely in a McCain presidency. Neither candidate is nearly as hostile to the environment as Bush 43.

James Hagan: No one here believes you're an environmentalist, so "cut the crap." Your comments are like saying, "I love football, but hate the concept of tackling, running, catching, kicking and touchdowns."

I like how some on this thread are blaming environmental degradation on people trying to protect the environment. How perverse.

[Mike V.]

It is despicable of this administration to treat american people with so much disregard and lack of value; they march to their own demonic drumbeat. History will show this president and his administration to be one of the worst and I'm sure that God has special plans for them.

America needs true leaders to guide our path into an uncertain future, not selfish power junkies who pander to corporate entities which have one goal in mind: Lining their pockets and that of their stockholders.

Where is the true american spirit of dissent and protest? How much longer will we blindly follow leaders who are losers, liers, or just plain evil? Or, have we all become to apathetic and/or comfortable to give a damn? I for one will take a stand against tyranny and greed and will vote for those who are for true americanism and not just out for themselves and those who line their pockets.

[Frank Pena]

President Bush's proposal makes a lot of sense. We have been listening to enviornmental freaks too long. The human race in America is now threatened with extinction. I feel humans need to be protected for a change.

Case in point, is all the wildfires occurring all over California burning all those expensive homes. The sensible thing to do is clear out the brush that help fuel the fires, and to construct firebreaks. But, I guess that is too simple a solution.

Frank Pena, Texas

[Christine Kerbstat]

Anyone remember the book A Nation of Sheep? This seems to be truer now than ever. Daily I hear people complaining of weather changes, local water problems, poorly planned growth, even the disappearance of the honeybees--but not many of these people do more than complain. Consider sending even a small donation to effective groups such as National Resources Defense Council and be a part of the legal defenses which take many environmental issues to court--and win. If you want to just stand by and watch our world deteriorate, then please stop your useless whining about it and learn to live with the results of big business dictating governmental policy.

[cloud9ine]

per capita gasoline consumption per year : (2003 numbers) in liters

USA : 1,635.2
North America : 1593.1
Europe : 275.6
Asia : 52.7

enough said. Think it's time to ween yourself off?

[Tom]

It is unbelievable how ignorant , shortsided and stupid some Americans are! They still believe in Bush and ignore all facts that are related to the dangers of exploiting the last resources. I am sorry for your kids in case you were able to make some!!!

Bush and his followers go to hell!!!

[Kevin D. Korenthal]

The same libs that are attempting to save the polar bear (which is doing just fine, thank you very much" and the Mesquitan field mouse are the very same people who blast the President for the faltering economy. Well the fact ofg the matter is that the needs of the humans are outweighed by the needs of animals and plant life. It is time to turn the tables on the environazis and start looking out for the human race again.

[jed]

was nine eleven simply convenient for big business/bush-chaney schemes or was it planned? Think about it.

[mark]

How sad to see so many here defending Bush and using the failing economy and high energy as an excuse to rape the country. Bush and his boys did this. They caused the failing economy. They caused the high energy prices when they started the false war. Mismanagement and bad policies got us here and Bush and the republican party will only take us lower. If you're not making $250 K a year or better and you are a Republican......? You're a fool.