Reply #11: Here's some more information: [View All]

[Lorien]

From the World Wildlife Fund:http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=27880


STOP AN ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT ATTACK

* The Issue

The Endangered Species Act is under serious attack and needs your help. A bill that would severely weaken the act was approved by the House Resources Committee on September 22, 2005, and is scheduled to be debated by the full House as early as the week of September 26. We have very little time to stop it; please act now.

The so-called Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act, introduced by Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.), would undermine protections that imperiled species have been afforded under the law for more than 30 years. The bill would reduce the prospects for restoring healthy populations of threatened and endangered plants and animals, repeal current provisions that protect species from the harmful impact of pesticides, weaken the scientific foundation for decision-making, and divert scarce resources away from effective conservation.

Fortunately, there is a positive, bipartisan alternative. Reps. George Miller (D-Calif.) and Sherry Boehlert (R-N.Y.) are planning to offer a substitute bill during the debate on the floor if the measure is ruled in order by the House Rules Committee on September 28. World Wildlife Fund supports this bipartisan substitute bill because it would make the ESA more efficient and cost effective, require federal agencies responsible for protecting 1,200 imperiled species in the United States to report biennially on their status, enhance the role of the states in conserving threatened species, and expedite the recovery planning process.

* What's at Stake

Every species loss diminishes the diversity of life on Earth with untold consequences for the web of life. Sadly, at present rates of extinction, as much as 20 percent of the world's species could be gone in the next 30 years.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is the most important tool our nation has for protecting imperiled wildlife and maintaining biological diversity. Enacted in 1973 by President Richard Nixon, the law is credited with pulling wildlife species back from the brink of extinction. It is used as a model by other countries struggling to protect their own endangered plants and animals. The bald eagle, California sea otter, American alligator, gray wolf, gray whale, black-footed ferret, and international species such as the African elephant are on the way back due to the ESA. World Wildlife Fund believes that a modernized and adequately funded ESA will improve species recovery efforts and bring the nation’s landowners on board as full partners in wildlife conservation. But the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act would take us in the wrong direction.

* Learn More

Read the testimony submitted on September 21, 2005 to the House Resources Committee on behalf of World Wildlife Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, and Environmental Defense.

Read H.R. 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act.

* How You Can Help

- Follow the instructions to send a free letter urging your representative to oppose the Endangered Species Act reform bill.

- To have more impact, follow the instructions to add your own thoughts to your message.

- Call your member of Congress via the capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) and make the main points from your letter.

- Urge your friends to take this action.

From our start in 1961, WWF has worked to protect endangered species. With your support, we can ensure that the world our children inherit will be home to a diversity of creatures. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Ginette Hemley
Managing Vice President for Conservation Programs
and Vice President for Species Conservation
World Wildlife Fund
Washington, DC

You can also take action on the Union of concerned scientists site:http://ucsaction.org/campaign/9_26_05_Endangered_Species_Act?source=wac_ucshome