Ask Obama Administration to Support a Strong Endangered Species

For over 35 years, the Endangered Species Act has been a safety net for our nation's wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction. The Act requires that the federal government use the best available science to prevent the extinction of endangered species.

Scientific consultations under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act are a vital part of ensuring that sound science is used. They require federal agencies to consult with experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Service when evaluating federal actions, permits or funding decisions. Therefore, Section 7 consultations are the keystone to implementing and enforcing the Endangered Species Act and must remain robust.

The consultation process has worked quite successfully since its implementation by the Reagan Administration in 1986. The current system has proven itself to be timely and is a major reason that 99 percent of listed species have successfully avoided extinction. Therefore, the federal government must maintain a strong oversight and a system of checks and balances to review federal projects that may have any negative impact on a protected species.

Please oppose any regulations that weaken the standards by which federal agencies carry out their duty to consult, including any changes to the regulations that narrow the circumstances under which federal agencies must consult or create specific exemptions for greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants.

Please support a strong Endangered Species Act and strong scientifically based protections for our nation's wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction.

Sincerely,