We've Got One Week Left to SAVE THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT!

[AZBlue]

Not just some species, but the Act itself! Bush administration officials are proposing redefinitions of terms that would allow conservative appointees in federal agencies to virtually the destroy the Act.

Their goal is to allow proposed projects to proceed even if such projects would kill off endangered species or place them or their habitats in jeopardy.

If the changes are not effectively challenged by September 15, they will go into effect, and, Goodbye Species!

Act now: Go to the end of this article for instructions. We need the public to flood the agencies involved with comments opposing the redefinitions and rule changes.

Here are some Talking Points:

• You are against the proposed rule changes because they weaken the Endangered Species Act nearly to the point of nonexistence.
  
• Environmental systems mostly work by systemic causation, with many indirect causes, not by "essential causation." The change to "essential causation" opens the door to an indefinitely large number of projects that can jointly put endangered species in jeopardy.
  
• The change in "consultation" rules will de facto eliminate the gathering of information relevant to protecting species.

Here's how you get your comments read:

Go to www.regulations.gov and use the search terms: "50 CFR Part 402 proposed rule."

The proposed changes are in Document # EB - 18938

To see the proposed changes, click on "View this document"

Click on "Send a comment or submission" to write your comment.

Note that plain e-mails will not be considered. This is another way public input is being limited.

Write your comments before September 15, 2008.

http://www.alternet.org/environment/98065/



PLEASE ACT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. And please keep this kicked so others can act as well.
Thank you! :hi:

[LisaM]

1. K&R

Obama needs to weigh in on this as well.


:kick:

[AZBlue]

7. Thanks. And, yes, I'd like to see him comment on this.

Would provide a good contrast to Sarah "Never Met an Animal I Didn't Want to Kill" Palin.

[Rainbowreflect]

2. k&r

:kick:

[ColbertWatcher]

3. k+r, n/t

[hamsterjill]

4. Done!

And recommended.

[patriotvoice]

5. My response:

"The spirit of the ESA as enacted is to broadly protect the interest (habitat, food sources, and generative capability) of species uniquely and culturally valuable to all citizens of the United States. The proposed definition changes run afoul of this spirit.

Specifically, the proposed definition change for "Cumulative effects" gives Federal authorities significantly more latitude in the projects they may entertain, while silently limiting similar projects at the state or private levels. (FR 73 159 S402.02 allows Federal activities that would be prohibited if initiated by State or private concerns.) That is wholly unacceptable: Federal authorities must be MORE cautious, not less, as their effects are wider reaching.

More odiously, the proposed definition change for "effects of action" side-steps the complexity of environmental interaction and will, if enacted, render the ESA essentially void. Decades of research shows that species collapse occurs because of systemic failure -- from systemic causes -- not essential failures from essential causes. Once again, the proposed definition loosens the Federal responsibility to take reasonable measures to protect an endangered species. And again, this is wholly unacceptable: Federal authorities must be MORE cautious, not less."

[AZBlue]

8. Very nice! Thank you!!

:thumbsup:

[pleah]

6. Done.

[AZBlue]

9. Kick. Because we now have one day left.

Thanks!

[AZBlue]

10. Thursday kick for the animals. Only 4 days left!