This is another quickie diary, but the AP is reporting that the Department of Interior is drafting new regulations that would essentially gut the centerpiece of the Endangered Species Act. Pombo tried this and was run out of town. So, rather than actually propose legislation that our elected representatives would, you know, vote on, the Bush "administration" will simply gut the ESA's implementing regulations for formal consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service. That way, developers will not have to think about harming endangered species. They will do it carefree and there will be nothing the wildlife agencies will be able to do about it.
According to the AP story:
If approved, the changes would represent the biggest overhaul of the Endangered Species Act since 1986. They would accomplish through regulations what conservative Republicans have been unable to achieve in Congress: ending some environmental reviews that developers and other federal agencies blame for delays and cost increases on many projects.
Those of us who have worked on endangered species issues have known this was coming. My question is, what took you so long, Dick? Make no mistake, regardless of the public outcry in comments once the proposal is released for review, this "administration" will likely pass these new regulations.
Although the "administration" has not yet issued the proposed regulations, as I understand it, they will gut the ESA's section 7 consultation process. Through section 7, the Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National Marine Fisheries Service must be consulted whenever a proposed project may affect a listed species. This "administration" thinks this process, which has been in place since 1973, is a waste of time. In other words, developers and oil companies know what is best for endangered species.
This is a last shot across the bow at our public lands and the incredible and often rare flora and fauna that call these places home. Laws like the Endangered Species Act, the Wilderness Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act keep this country's breathtakingly beautiful wildlands safe. We cannot let them take this parting shot.
I will be following this very closely and will keep you all apprised of any developments.
A final thought. When a lameduck President tries to ramrod controversial crap like this through at the end of an "administration," the new president has been known to freeze or rescind such regulations from becoming final. If these regulations are adopted, I hope we can count on President Obama to do the right thing. I think we can. Yes we can.