Framing expert George Lakoff has sounded this Alarm, recently:
AlterNet
We've Got One Week Left to Stop One of Bush's Worst Environmental Attacks
By George Lakoff and Chris Shutes, Posted Sept 8, 2008.
A simple redefinition of terms will destroy the Endangered Species Act in less than a week if we don't act now.
Bush administration officials are proposing redefinitions of terms that would allow conservative appointees in federal agencies to virtually the destroy the Act.
...
If the changes are not effectively challenged by September 15, they will go into effect, and, Goodbye Species!
(emphasis added)
http://www.alternet.org/...
... Cut to the chase, over the fold
Under the new rules, many such consultations would no longer even be required. The agency itself would be allowed to make that determination.
In the past, the consultation determined whether or not there was jeopardy or damage to critical habitat.
Under the new rules, the party proposing the project would determine whether it even needs to consult based on whether it itself, and not the Service, thinks there may be jeopardy or damage to critical habitat.
In the past, a federal agency that proposed a project had to defend the notion that its project would do no harm to listed species. If the rules are changed, it will merely have to assert that it will do no harm.
(emphasis added)
same AlterNet Link
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This policy "rule change" effectively appoints
the Fox as the Nite Watchman of the Hen House!
Instead of having to "prove" that proposed development projects
(timber sales, oil rights, road development, water rights, etc.)
won't harm Endangered Species, by using independent experts --
Now [as of 9-15-2008] when the Proposed rule change goes into effect,
the "internal Proponents" of these development projects,
simply must vouch that no harm will happen, to those poor critters.
No independent experts!
No outside studies!
Just the "good word" of the Administration-appointed officials!
Move over Spotted Owls and Polar Bears --
the Administration is now "Looking Out" for you --
(er I mean your habitat ... yeah SO move over!)
Hmmm there's $$$$ in them thar hills!
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Outraged?
Then get off your butts
and send them an email --
or a letter
Before the current "Open Comment Period" closes ...
(This is the "Trial Balloon" Period, when OUR Gov't "asks for" OUR Opinions -- the "Opinions the Public" --
right before they decide to do something sneaky ...)
Didn't you get your R.S.V.P?
It was posted right here:
PDF link to the Proposed Rule Changes
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 159 /
Friday, August 15, 2008 / Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 402
Interagency Cooperation Under the Endangered Species Act
AGENCIES:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior;
National Marine Fisheries Service,
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
SUMMARY: The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
(collectively, "Services" or "we")
propose to amend regulations governing interagency cooperation
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
The Services are proposing these changes to clarify
several definitions, to clarify when the section 7 regulations
are applicable and the correct standards for effects analysis,
and to establish time frames for the informal consultation process.
DATES: We must receive your comments
by September 15, 2008 to ensure their
full consideration in the final decision
on this proposal.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments or
materials concerning this proposed rule
in one of the following ways:
(1) Through the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at
http://www.regulations.gov.
( Here's the REAL Comments Link: Click the "Add Comments" Icon )
Follow the instructions on the Web site for
submitting comments.
(2) By U.S. mail or hand-delivery to
Public Comment Processing
Attention: 1018–AT50
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203
We will not accept e-mail or faxes.
We will post all comments on
http://www.regulations.gov.
This generally means that we will post any personal
information you provide us (see the Public Comments
section below for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks
1849 C Street
NW., Washington, DC 20240
telephone: 202–208–4416;
or
James H. Lecky, Director
Office of Protected Resources
National Marine Fisheries Service
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
telephone: 301–713–2332.
(emphasis added)
Help prevent those sausage-makers, from making our Earth just a little bit Flatter, once again!
Thanks!
BTW "Open Comments" DO make a difference --
Unlike the Corporate Media, the Govt still HAS to (legally) read each and every email
and tally them up, and weigh the pro and con arguments,
before acting on their impulses.
Endangered Species are the Canaries in the Coalmine.
If we let their protection hinge on the just the "Opinions" and "Assertions"
put forward by the Development Proponents, excluding impartial outside experts,
we might as well just outsource our entire Country on EBay!
PS. It's still time, to Take OUR Country BACK!