CalTrout News
Last month, the current administration unveiled proposed revisions to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposal would weaken the law enacted 45 years ago to keep plant and animal species that are in decline from going extinct.
The public comment period closes Monday, September 24th. We need your voice today. Thank you to those who have already submitted a comment and sent a letter to Congress. If you haven’t already, here’s your chance to speak up for the ESA.
“45% of California’s native salmon, steelhead, and trout are likely to be extinct in 50 years, 74% in 100 years if present trends continue.” We cannot let things get worse.
If enacted, the proposed revisions will:
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- Allow non-biological considerations to play a role in listing decisions.
- Limit the designation of critical habitat, particularly unoccupied critical habitat, that may be essential to the conservation and recovery of a species.
- Place listed species at risk of premature delisting.
- Weaken ESA protections for species and critical habitat when government projects are proposed and analyzed.
- Remove the blanket rule which affords the same protections to “threatened” species as are given to plants and animals in the more stringent “endangered” category. Revoking the blanket rule would add more burden to the Department of Fish and Wildlife which would have to consider separately every case involving a threatened species.
If enacted, the protection and survival of our endangered and threatened species and the habitats that sustain them will be at risk. On behalf of so many of our native fish that are in need of the protections afforded by the ESA, please submit comments today urging the administration to withdraw their proposed regulation changes. Let’s save the law that saves our native fish.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Submit your comments about the ESA proposal to the government before the comment period ends on September 24, 2018. Use the sample below or write your own.
Dear Secretary Zinke and Secretary Ross,
As a Californian who values the vitality of native fish species and healthy waters, I do NOT support the proposed revisions to the implementing regulations for the Endangered Species Act (ESA). I ask that you withdraw the proposed changes to the regulations in Section 4, 7, and the regulations governing section 4(d).
The changes to section 4 of the ESA would not aid our endangered species, but would instead undermine the listing process by introducing economic concerns that should not factor in the listing of species. Section 7 of the ESA holds perhaps the most crucial constraints on federal actions, and these proposed revisions would destroy the consultation provisions of the ESA. Section 4(d) prevents the take of threatened species and the proposed changes would seriously hinder recovery and jeopardize the long-term health of threatened species as we know them.
There are 11 native salmonids that are listed as federally threatened. If present trends continue, 45% of California’s native salmon, steelhead, and trout are likely to be extinct in 50 years and 74% in 100 years. We cannot let things get worse.
I urge you to keep our Endangered Species Act strong and protect our currently endangered and threatened species – as originally intended – and protect those that may face the consequences of climate change in the future.
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More information:
Save Our Salmonids II: Fish in Hot Water
“ENDANGERED SPECIES: 4 things to know about Trump’s ESA overhaul,” E&E news
Photo: Will Boucher
