Legislation to significantly change the way science is used to protect endangered species has passed out of committee and is expected to be voted on by the entire House later this week. The bill would cripple federal efforts to protect and preserve wildlife and their habitats. Please protect the Endangered Species Act today by sending a letter to your representative urging a NO vote on H.R. 3824.
Here is a sample letter:
Dear Representative,
I urge you to vote NO on H.R. 3824. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has successfully protected wildlife, fish, and plant species from the brink of extinction and we must continue to use independent science to preserve and protect both threatened and endangered species, as well as their habitats.
I am concerned the bill will greatly undermine protection of habitat that species need for survival. The legislation would roll back protection for endangered species by eliminating requirements that allow for a species' recovery.
The use of science in protecting wildlife is an invaluable service to the ESA. H.R. 3824 includes several provisions that will dramatically undermine the use of independent science in listing species, determining necessary habitats, and ensuring future survival. For example, while the ESA leaves the decision of what constitutes the "best available scientific data" to scientists, H.R. 3824 would transfer this authority to the Secretary of the Interior, a political appointee.
This bill would cripple federal efforts to protect and preserve wildlife and their habitats and would adversely change the way science informs ESA decisions. Please vote NO on H.R. 3824 and help ensure a future for countless threatened and endangered species. I look forward to a response from you on how you intend to vote on this legislation.
Sincerely
_________________________________________
What's At Stake:
The Endangered Species Act has protected numerous species of wildlife, fish and plants from the brink of extinction. Since the Act was signed in 1973, its protections have been enormously successful, keeping more than 99 percent of listed species from extinction. Today, the Act is under siege. Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA) has introduced a bill that will irreparably damage this historic Act.
Currently, the Act requires the designation and protection of habitat that is “essential to the conservation of the species,” including recovery. H.R. 3824 repeals the requirement for critical habitat designation. While requiring recovery plans and recommending that they identify certain areas occupied by the species that are of “special value” to the conservation of the species, there are not guidelines as to what "special value" means. The bill also prohibits the federal government from issuing across-the-board regulations pertaining to these plans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information provided by the Union of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please help protect the Endangered Species Act.
Thank you for your time and concern about the future of some of America's most endangered wildlife.
Here is a sample letter:
Dear Representative,
I urge you to vote NO on H.R. 3824. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has successfully protected wildlife, fish, and plant species from the brink of extinction and we must continue to use independent science to preserve and protect both threatened and endangered species, as well as their habitats.
I am concerned the bill will greatly undermine protection of habitat that species need for survival. The legislation would roll back protection for endangered species by eliminating requirements that allow for a species' recovery.
The use of science in protecting wildlife is an invaluable service to the ESA. H.R. 3824 includes several provisions that will dramatically undermine the use of independent science in listing species, determining necessary habitats, and ensuring future survival. For example, while the ESA leaves the decision of what constitutes the "best available scientific data" to scientists, H.R. 3824 would transfer this authority to the Secretary of the Interior, a political appointee.
This bill would cripple federal efforts to protect and preserve wildlife and their habitats and would adversely change the way science informs ESA decisions. Please vote NO on H.R. 3824 and help ensure a future for countless threatened and endangered species. I look forward to a response from you on how you intend to vote on this legislation.
Sincerely
_________________________________________
What's At Stake:
The Endangered Species Act has protected numerous species of wildlife, fish and plants from the brink of extinction. Since the Act was signed in 1973, its protections have been enormously successful, keeping more than 99 percent of listed species from extinction. Today, the Act is under siege. Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA) has introduced a bill that will irreparably damage this historic Act.
Currently, the Act requires the designation and protection of habitat that is “essential to the conservation of the species,” including recovery. H.R. 3824 repeals the requirement for critical habitat designation. While requiring recovery plans and recommending that they identify certain areas occupied by the species that are of “special value” to the conservation of the species, there are not guidelines as to what "special value" means. The bill also prohibits the federal government from issuing across-the-board regulations pertaining to these plans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information provided by the Union of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please help protect the Endangered Species Act.
Thank you for your time and concern about the future of some of America's most endangered wildlife.