AZ species may suffer after Bush rule change
· September 17, 2008 · Print This Article
In what critics call a back-door move to weaken environmental regulations, the Bush administration has proposed a rule change for the Interior Dept. that would dramatically reduce the scientific input necessary for agency decisions with the potential to affect threatened species.
The move could have far-ranging impacts on Arizona wildlife, says Sandy Bahr, conservation outreach director for the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon chapter.
“Ultimately, what it does is it takes science out of the decision making process related to endangered species – and there’s already far too much politics involved in endangered species,” she says. “We’ve seen that in Arizona with the Mexican gray wolf.”
The Associated Press reported that the Bush administration has sought to fast-track the rule changes by cutting a public comment period from 60 to 30 days.
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Tucson) slammed the move in a recent statement.
“I am disappointed once again by the recent announcement that the lame duck Bush White House plans to roll back the protections for endangered species before leaving office. It doesn’t surprise me that the legacy this President wants to leave is one of further environmental degradation and loss of more species who are already on the brink of extinction,” Rep. Grijalva said.
He continued: “This is just one more example of their ongoing efforts to undermine the environmental protections that have been in place in this country for more than 30 years. What the previous majority in Congress couldn’t accomplish legislatively, the Administration is now trying to do through revised regulations.”
The L.A. Times calls the rule change a “bum rush” in this editorial.
Bahr agrees. “Rather than a frontal attack, it’s an administrative action, so it doesn’t require Congress to do anything. It’s basically more of the same from the Bush administration.
“Ultimately, the impact in Arizona will be fewer species protected, and more politics and political decisions,” she says.
JCR
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Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse with them.
With all of the attention focused on the current campaign, it seems we’ve forgotten that the Bush administration still has a few more months left in office. Plenty of time left for bad decisions - I guess this is a good reminder for us that we should still pay attention to the current administration and its less-than-ideal decisions.
Arizona’s environment is exactly what sets us apart from other states in the US - I can’t imagine what might happen if we don’t continue to protect our natural resources and wildlife. Yikes.
Yikes is right. Just check out the Sonoran Desert Coalition supporting “streamlining permits for developers” in Pima County.
see erika meltzer article on AZstarnet approx a week ago. Go to the link one of the commenters put out there.
Pima County doesn’t enforce Native plant or riparian protection. Well they get less than 10% compliance (they did their own audit on 11 projects -its all on mitigation working group meeting minutes on flood control district website) and I quote “of the 23 acres riparian habitat that were to be mitigated only 2 acres were mitigated.
Now Carolyn Campbell is supporting Chuck Huckelberry in this effort to open the doors for developers to “take” wildlife and habitat with no penalty because Pima County is “doing a good job “taking care of environment. I smell a rat!!
This after we learned the county was using bond money specifically approved by voters to purchase open space for “other” uses .
We can only hope Sherry Barrett of the US fish and wildlife service does her homework and doesn’t allow this to happen.
Anyone who is a member of the Sonoran Desert Coalition ought to be held accountable. And I do believe Sierra Club is member of Sonoran Desert Coalition? What about all the other members of that coalition? Is this acceptable to you? Less than 10% compliance a good enough job?? Are my expectations too high??Would love the members of this coaliton to weigh in and help us understand why you support this effort!