Biologists Call on Obama Administration to Overturn Bush Rules That Cut Science Out of Endangered Species Decisions

Posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009

By ahedgehog

WASHINGTON – April 27 – More than 1,300 federal and independent scientists with biological expertise and three leading scientific societies today called on the Interior and Commerce departments to overturn rule changes made in January that weaken the scientific foundation of the Endangered Species Act.

In a letter, the scientists urged the department secretaries to rescind changes to Endangered Species Act regulations that allow federal agencies to decide for themselves if their own projects — such as roads, dams and mines — would threaten imperiled species. Previously, federal agencies were required to consult with biologists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Service before undertaking or permitting projects. (For a copy of the letter, go here.)

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