WDCS is saddened by the latest attack on the Endangered Species Act by the Bush Administration. On December 11th, the Department of Interior announced the passage of a rule to modify the requirements of the Endangered Species Act. The changes would allow agencies to permit potentially harmful actions that could impact endangered species and their habitats without consulting with federal wildlife experts.
WDCS submitted written comments to the Department of the Interior expressing our concerns that the proposed rule was unclear, misleading and legally questionable. “The Bush Administration is telling the public these modifications will streamline the process” said Sue Fisher, US Policy Director, “but what they are really doing is gutting the Endangered Species Act.”
The rule will go into effect in 30 days, just prior to Bush’s departure from Office. WDCS is requesting that President-Elect Obama will see this modification for what it is and overturn it. We are asking the Administration to embrace and strengthen the