Bill Would Fix Flaws in Endangered Species Act
CNSNews.com
Saturday, May 19, 2001
Senators from two Western states say it's time to fix flaws in the Endangered Species Act for the benefit of humans who are suffering because of it.
"The time has come to admit that there must be a better way to protect wildlife," said Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), who - along with Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) - has introduced Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2001.
According to Smith, the bill would "aid in species recovery while addressing the legitimate concerns of property owners or others affected by the Endangered Species Act." It would give states more of a say in balancing the interests of farmers and ranchers with the preservation of endangered wildlife.
In a statement, Sen. Smith pointed to what's happening in Oregon's Klamath Basin as a good example of how the Endangered Species Act desperately needs improvement: "We are managing the water resources in this basin for two fish species, at the expense of all other wildlife, including bald eagles. We are also forgetting our human stewardship, and to date have failed to provide assistance to the farmers and ranchers who are facing economic ruin over this water allocation decision."
Smith noted that more than 1,100 species have been listed under the existing ESA, but fewer than two-dozen have been de-listed. "Litigation is consuming far too much of the time and resources of federal agencies that could be better spent actually recovering species," he said.
Copyright: CNSNews.com
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