Call to Action: Keep Bush from Gutting the Endangered Species Act

According to a new posting in Talking Points Memo, the Bush administration is about to propose changes in the regulations that implement the Endangered Species Act.

New regulations, which don't require the approval of Congress, would reduce the mandatory, independent reviews government scientists have been performing for 35 years, according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press.

The draft rules also would bar federal agencies from assessing the emissions from projects that contribute to global warming and its effect on species and habitats.

If approved, the changes would represent the biggest overhaul of the Endangered Species Act since 1988. 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.

Comment: The Bush administration has tried to gut environmental legislation for almost eight years. This proposal would seem to be a last gap effort in its final days to do by executive fiat that which it has been unable to convince the courts nor the Congress to do.

Please watch for the opportunity to comment on the proposed regulatory change, and stand up for the environment. JAD