On July 12th, the Congressional Western Caucus unleashed a package of nine proposed bills that would fundamentally alter and erode the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The politicians behind the bills claim they are attempting to “modernize” the ESA. But others are crying foul. The Center for Biological Diversity is calling the proposed legislation a set of “extinction bills.”
Among the bills are the PREDICTS Act, which would prohibit wildlife agencies from canceling permits that allow private entities to harm protected species, and the PETITION Act, which allows the secretary of the interior to declare a “petition backlog,” simply throwing away petitions to protect wildlife when they deem that too many of them amass. The WHOLE act would allow agencies to approve development projects that could jeopardize threatened or endangered species or their habitat if that species’ habitat is protected or proposed to be protected elsewhere.
The plan is supported by big industries eager to exploit protected land, including the American Exploration and Mining Association, American Loggers Council, and American Petroleum Institute.
The bills’ sponsors are touting them as good for species, communities, science, taxpayers and the economy. But animal and environmental advocates point out that these actions will only serve to erode the utility of the ESA and put animals and habitats at risk. ESA supporters acknowledge that the law could be used more effectively and needs to be reworked and fixed in some ways, but this proposed package of nine bills would not fix the ESA.
The ESA has over 40 years of success stories. It has provided crucial protection for grizzly bears, bald eagles, and gray wolves. Since it was passed into law in 1973, it has protected more than 1,300 species of plants, fish and other wildlife in the U.S. And on top of its proven success, it is massively popular with the American people.
The ESA was put into place as a strong check on states, private entities, sportsmen, and businesses. These bills pose a direct threat to the ESA, and if passed could decimate the law’s ability to protect animals and their habitats.
All animals and their habitats should be protected!
Leave the EDA and EPA alone! Tired of TRUMP’s Destroy Everything agenda!
Unprecedented Attack on Our Wildlife is The Biggest Assault on Wildlife Ever!!!! This War on the ESA Must Be Stopped Now and Forever!!!
This vile and scandalous Trump regime could care less about protecting wildlife. Because of their cruel policies, they have allowed more destruction of wildlife and their habitants. None of those swamp creatures in Trump‘s circle, including him, exhibit any compassion, knowledge of anything or a good spirit and heart toward animals, immigrants or the poor.
Trump the Trumpet and his EVIL spawns trumpets
trump & his boys & cronies DON’T GIVE A FIG ABOUT ANIMALS….THEY LOVE TO HUNT & KILL FOR TROPHIES! bad donald trump & his jerk boys & cronies!
The age of greed and reckless destruction of nature is upon us like never before.
STUPID heartless FREAK’S
Why don’t we have more political parties? Both of the main ones are corrupt and no longer represent the people. Ultimately we will have to, as Thos. Jefferson said, have another revolution to protect a “peoples’ government”.
There Shall Never Be a Good Enough Excuse, Fabricated Cover-up or Enough Monies for Legitimizing an End to the Endangered Species Act or to Sell the Public Out of Our Public Lands Which Are to Be Held in Perpetuity for the Good of the Lands, Not the Special Interest or Big Business to Undermine Irrevocably on the Taxpayer’s Backs!!!
FREAK people need to meet THEIR own fate
TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!
Animals of the wild are not considered to be worthy of the earth that we inhabit. If a species gets in the way of greed money hungry people. Government agencies won’t be happy until the animals of the wild are all gone. The animal kingdom is deteriorating right before our eyes. As we try to stop it the greed goes on. As the way I see it industries want to grow and expend all for the mighty dollar and the hell with everything living on the land. So sad
We need to be protecting animals.
YOU STUPID PEOPLE! KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF ANIMALS! THEY WERE NOT PUT ON THIS EARTH FOR YOU TO TORTURE! I HOPE YOU FACE THE SAME FATE!
They are God’s Creatures.
And we shall not kill and hurt, but show compassion and care.
Our life is short also, let us take the chance, do good, stop the violence (‘God is Love’) and support the vegan lifestyle.
He is the beginning and the end, one day we will die also.
Plz save these animals
Do NOT erode the Endangered Species Act, wildlife is to be protected, it is what makes this world worth living in. Destroy wildlife and you destroy the world.