NEW REGULATIONS WEAKEN ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, THREATEN WILDLIFE

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http://www.ems.org/rls/2004/07/29/new_regulations_.html

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2004

Contact:

William Lutz 202.772.0269

 

NEW REGULATIONS WEAKEN ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT,

THREATEN WILDLIFE

 

 

Wildlife Scientists Cut Out of the Loop on Pesticide

Use Decisions

 

WASHINGTON, DC – The Bush administration has finalized

new regulations that cut wildlife agencies out of the

loop on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

decisions regarding pesticide use, a move that

undermines the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and

threatens endangered species. The regulations

eliminate the current requirement that the EPA consult

with federal fish and wildlife agencies to access the

effect of new pesticide use on endangered wildlife

prior to approval, this despite the EPA's dismal

record of protecting species from harmful effects of

pesticides.

 

" The President's policy jeopardizes human health and

endangered wildlife by allowing more potentially

dangerous chemicals to be pumped into the environment

without proper review, " said Defenders of Wildlife

president Rodger Schlickeisen. " It is another example

of Americans paying the price as the President bows to

the wishes of big corporations. "

 

Many pesticides pose a distinct threat to endangered

species. The pesticide DDT was largely responsible for

the decline of the American bald eagle, before the

Endangered Species Act and pesticide control laws

halted the species march toward extinction.

 

" The EPA's record on this issue is atrocious. The EPA

did not properly complete a single consultation into

the effects of pesticides on endangered species for

more than a decade until forced to do so by the

courts. Instead of upholding the law, the President

has chosen to let EPA off the hook, leaving future

generations to pay the price for his

short-sightedness, " said Schlickeisen.

 

Schlickeisen also placed today's action in the broader

context of the Bush administration's campaign against

the Endangered Species Act.

 

" The President has jumped at every opportunity to

weaken the protections of the Endangered Species Act.

From pesticide use to forest management, the President

has cut wildlife experts out of the loop and turned

his back on science, placing in harm's way many

species at the brink of extinction, " added

Schlickeisen.

 

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