Senate Democrats on Tuesday slammed Republican attempts to change the Endangered Species Act (ESA), saying Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Barrasso’s proposal to overhaul the law threatens the conservation program’s successes, according to The Hill.
During a hearing examining the proposal in the committee, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said "I believe that we are considering a bill that in its total conception is taking us in the wrong direction" at a time when the world is in a “global extinction crisis."
He added that the bill "would move us away from the best available science and would delay and restrict, ultimately, judicial review."
Delaware Sen. Tom Carper pointed specifically to changes in the way the Fish and Wildlife Service would have to consider scientific findings in its decisions, saying "This change could actually prevent the best available science from guiding species management, especially in an administration that consistently denies and undermines science."
Environmental groups have been even more fierce in their opposition, with Center for Biological Diversity endangered species director Noah Greenwald saying that "Republicans are turning their back on the most vulnerable species in the country just to please polluters and other powerful interests. It's disgusting and repugnant," EcoWatch reported.
Barrasso defended his bill, saying it “elevates the role of states in partnering with the federal government in implementing the Endangered Species Act" by giving "states the opportunity to lead wildlife conservation efforts, including through the establishment of recovery teams for listed species in development and implementing recovery plans.”
Republicans on the committee backed the proposal, with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst insisting it’s right to give states a bigger role in conservation.
"A lot of times, people just have this knee-jerk reaction that because you’re delegating more authority to the states, you’re somehow weakening the law," she said. “I don’t necessarily believe that’s true. I think, in this case, it’s a good idea."
Barrasso worked with the Western Governors’ Association in drafting the legislation, and Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead testified before the committee on the bill’s benefits, KULR8 reported.
Mead said the legislation provides "an opportunity to improve the Endangered Species Act for wildlife and for people. We can encourage innovative conservation practices that obviate the need to list species… [and] can facilitate faster and more cost-effective species recovery."
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