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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Bush Loosens Endangered Species Act

Another midnight ruling refuses protection to threatened animals

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(Newser) – The White House incensed environmental groups yesterday by announcing sweeping changes to the Endangered Species Act, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Federal agencies will no longer have to consult with scientists before approving potentially harmful building or logging projects, and the government will not recognize the threat that global warming poses to species such as polar bears and walruses.

"The Bush administration is using this to go after our most imperiled wildlife and kick them when they are down," says an Earthjustice attorney. But the Interior Secretary holds that "nothing in the regulation relieves a federal agency of its responsibilities to ensure that species are not harmed." Congress has already mobilized to restore the act's old regulations.

A Pacific walrus tagged with a satellite radio transmitter. The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to act on a petition seeking protection for walrus.
A Pacific walrus tagged with a satellite radio transmitter. The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to act on a petition seeking protection for walrus.   (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey, Steven Kazlowski, FILE)
A polar bear falls through thin ice in Hudson Bay off the coast of Churchill, Manitoba in Canada. Arctic sea ice has melted to record low levels in recent years.
A polar bear falls through thin ice in Hudson Bay off the coast of Churchill, Manitoba in Canada. Arctic sea ice has melted to record low levels in recent years.   (Photo: Peter EWINS/WWF-Canada)
A sea lion eats a salmon in the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam in North Bonneville, Wash., Thursday, April 24, 2008. Changes to the Endangered Species Act fail to protect the salmon.
A sea lion eats a salmon in the Columbia River near Bonneville Dam in North Bonneville, Wash., Thursday, April 24, 2008. Changes to the Endangered Species Act fail to protect the salmon.   (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
A Canada lynx heads into the Rio Grande National Forest after being released near Creede, Colo. The US Department of the Interior refuses to extend protection to the lynx.
A Canada lynx heads into the Rio Grande National Forest after being released near Creede, Colo. The US Department of the Interior refuses to extend protection to the lynx.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
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2 comments
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maevealleine
Dec 12, 08 11:28 AM CST
I hope Karma is does not show mercy to Bush. Reply
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PaleRider
Dec 12, 08 11:29 AM CST
What ends up happening more that Acts like this conserving wildlife is an environmental group will use the regulations to force projects into limbo while monitors look for spotted toads and bog turtles that will never be found. Reply
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