For over thirty years, the
Endangered Species Act has served as a safety net for plants, fish and
wildlife on the brink of extinction. But now members of Congress are working
to eliminate protections that have allowed us to save the bald eagle,
grizzly bear and Florida manatee from extinction.
Congressman Richard Pombo introduced new legislation aimed at
weakening the Endangered Species Act and eliminating many protections that
have allowed us to protect hundreds of species from extinction, including
the bald eagle, grizzly bear, Florida manatee, gray wolf, right whale and
many other species. The legislation, inappropriately titled "The Threatened
and Endangered Species Act of 2005," is disguised as responsible reform but
is clearly aimed at weakening species protections.
According to a recent analysis, the Pombo legislation would, among other things:
Eliminate all habitat protections needed for threatened and endangered
species to survive.
Remove protections for threatened species, which would limit our ability to
protect species from extinction and remove protections that prevent the killing
of hundreds of species, including the bald eagle.
Establish new loopholes that cater to big developers and other special
interests at the expense of our most cherished wildlife and endangered species.
Later this week, the House Resources Committee will vote on Congressman Pombo's
legislation, and it is quite possible that the entire House of Representatives
will vote on this controversial legislation before the end of September.
Please
take action now to help us stop these efforts and protect the Endangered Species
Act.
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9/19/2005--Introduced.
Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to revise various
provisions of that Act relating to the determination of endangered and
threatened species, procedures for making such determinations, and the role
of states and private property owners in the determination process. Defines
"best available scientific data" and requires the use of such standard in
making endangered species and other determinations under the Act. Revises
provisions for designating endangered or threatened species and the process
for reviewing lists of such species. Repeals the authority of the Secretary
of the Interior (or the Secretary of Commerce) to designate a critical
habitat for an endangered or threatened species. Directs the Secretary of
the Interior to develop and implement recovery plans for endangered or
threatened species and to establish recovery teams to assist in the
development of such plans, giving priority to species that will most likely
benefit from such plans. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into species
recovery agreements and species conservation contract agreements with
persons, other than federal or state governments, for conservation
activities to protect endangered or threatened species; and (2) make grants
to promote the voluntary conservation of endangered and threatened species
by private property owners. Eliminates the Endangered Species Committee and
the process for granting exemptions from endangered or threatened species
determinations. Requires the Secretary to make certain information available
to the public on the Internet, including lists of threatened or endangered
species, final and proposed regulations under the Act, results of five-year
reviews conducted under the Act, all draft and final recovery plans, and
certain required reports and data. Requires the Secretary to report to
Congress annually on expenditures made primarily for the conservation of
species. Authorizes appropriations for FY2006-FY2010.
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