They have no shame.
While the nation’s attention is focused on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the impending disaster of Hurricane Rita, the Republicans are attempting to pass legislation that would eviscerate the Endangered Species Act. On September 19, Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), Chairman of the House Resources Committee, introduced his deceptively named “Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005” (H.R. 3824). Rep. Pombo’s bill would gut the Endangered Species Act in favor of developers, oil companies, timber companies, mining companies, and extreme property rights groups. Committee hearings were held yesterday, and the full committee will vote this morning. This bill could come before the full House by early next week.
According to the Center for Biodiversity, Rep. Pombo’s bill would institute the following changes:
* completely repeal protections for endangered species critical habitat
* remove protections for species listed as “threatened” under the law
* allow political appointees – such as Secretary of Interior Gale Norton – instead of scientists, to determine what constitutes the best available science
* exempt federal agencies from the requirement to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on actions that might impact endangered species
* bankrupt the endangered species program by forcing the Fish and Wildlife Service to pay developers to comply with the law.
To sign a petition expressing your opposition to this bill you can go to the Caribbean Conservation Corporation & Sea Turtle Survival League site.
Please call your Member of Congress and urge them to vote against Rep. Pombo’s extinction bill. And please, please pass this information on to everyone you know. We can’t let them get away with this!
