A few months ago, Congress was considering a bill introduced by Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA) that would weaken the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and remove protections from animals to allow development in their fragile habitats. Congress roundly rejected this legislation, consistent with the will of their constituents who spoke out in defense of the ESA. Now a leaked 117 page memo indicates that the Bush Administration is trying to accomplish using backdoor administrative procedures—without the input of Congress or the American people—what former Congressman Pombo (who was ousted in the last election by Democratic challenger Jerry McNerney), failed to achieve through legitimate legislative processes.

The proposed Bush Administration plan would allow development projects to proceed even if they would put the survival of endangered species at risk, make it more difficult to get species listed when they are determined to be endangered or threatened, and ultimately give states veto power over these decisions. If these new regulations are adopted, species from the American bald eagle and the Northern Rockies gray wolf to the grizzly bear and the West Virginia northern flying squirrel, among many others, could be in grave danger of losing their homes and even their lives.

The Bush Administration’s proposal is written not by scientists, but by political appointees without scientific training who are clearly more concerned with making sure industry gets its way than preserving the environment for rare and endangered species. According to a report by the Inspector General of the Department of Interior, Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Julie MacDonald, who has no scientific background, overrode many of the conclusions drawn by government-appointed biologists who are responsible for determining which species are endangered and in need of protection under the law.

Many environmental critics have charged the Bush Administration with making a systematic attempt to dismantle the ESA. The Administration did support Representative Pombo's original bill, and fewer species have been added to the ESA since George W. Bush took office than during any administration in the landmark law's 34 year history. A mere 57 species have been listed since 2001—all under great pressure from environmental and animal advocates. In contrast, the Clinton administration added 512 species to the list between 1992 and 2000.

Fortunately, our leaders are not taking the attacks on the ESA lying down. Three members of the House of Representatives—Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), James Moran (D-VA), and Christopher Shays (R-CT)—are circulating a letter (www.stopextinction.org/ESA_Regs_Dear_Colleague) among their congressional colleagues that expresses their support for the ESA and serious concerns about the recently leaked draft regulations. People who care about animals and the environment can make a difference by supporting their efforts to protect endangered species from extinction at the hands of greedy developers and self-serving politicians.

What You Can Do:

Please contact your Representative and urge him or her to sign on to the "Dear Colleague letter" being circulated by Congressmen Hinchey, Moran, and Shays defending the ESA against the Bush administration's proposal to weaken it.