According to George Lakoff and Chris Shutes at AlterNet, we have One Week Left to Save the Endangered Species Act.
This is important, folks, since this Act is one of the most important tools we have to protect ecosystems and the creatures that live there. So, while the Republicans have thrust into the spotlight someone who wants to pay people for wolf legs, they are quietly dismantling the laws put in place decades ago that would stop such wanton destruction.
This may not be much of a diary (it is late and I'm busy), but I hope the people at DKos will pay attention and raise a hue and cry to stop this. From the AlterNet article:
more below ...
The Endangered Species Act is our primary legal tool for environmental protection.
We have until September 15-about a week-to save the Endangered Species Act.
Not just some species, but the Act itself! Bush administration officials are proposing redefinitions of terms that would allow conservative appointees in federal agencies to virtually the destroy the Act.
Their goal is to allow proposed projects to proceed even if such projects would kill off endangered species or place them or their habitats in jeopardy.
If the changes are not effectively challenged by September 15, they will go into effect, and, Goodbye Species!
Act now: Go to the end of this article for instructions. We need the public to flood the agencies involved with comments opposing the redefinitions and rule changes.
Here are the action steps you can take:
Act Now!
Here are some Talking Points:
* You are against the proposed rule changes because they weaken the Endangered Species Act nearly to the point of nonexistence.
* Environmental systems mostly work by systemic causation, with many indirect causes, not by "essential causation." The change to "essential causation" opens the door to an indefinitely large number of projects that can jointly put endangered species in jeopardy.
* The change in "consultation" rules will de facto eliminate the gathering of information relevant to protecting species.
Here's how you get your comments read:
Go to www.regulations.gov and use the search terms: "50 CFR Part 402 proposed rule."
The proposed changes are in Document # EB - 18938
To see the proposed changes, click on "View this document"
Click on "Send a comment or submission" to write your comment.
Note that plain e-mails will not be considered. This is another way public input is being limited.
Write your comments before September 15, 2008.
You have my permission to do a better diary on this topic if this one does not get recommended. We really need to stop them from gutting this law. It will be a wholesale rape of the environment if we do not.