In its final days in office, the Bush administration is attempting to drastically weaken the Endangered Species Act. The Administration is proposing to largely do away with independent scientific consultations on the impacts of federal actions on endangered species and put these decisions squarely in the hands of political appointees. This represents the largest rewrite of the Endangered Species Act in 20 years, allows for zero congressional oversight, and would involve an inadequate 30-day public comment period before becoming law. These are many of the very changes that Congress soundly rejected just two years ago!

To ensure these proposals don't become law, Interior Secretary Kempthorne needs to hear from you. Please personalize the letter below and submit today.

The proposed changes by the Bush administration would either completely remove or drastically reduce the requirement for government agencies to consult with biologists before taking actions like building roads, dams, approving logging, mining and gas exploration on our public lands that may harm endangered species. Under the proposed arrangement, agencies would be allowed to decide for themselves whether a project is likely to impact a species. Currently, a review by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Service scientists is required before projects are approved. These reviews often result in projects being altered to protect endangered species and habitat.   

Read the Denver Post's recent editorial on the Administration's proposed changes to the Act, see what other editorial pages around the country are saying and download Center for Native Ecosystems' fact sheet here.