Crowdog
03-03-2005, 03:22 PM
Pombo – Walden – Crapo – Chafee Press Release
Thursday, February 10, 2005
CONTACT:
Pombo-Brian Kennedy (202) 226-9019
Walden-Angela Wilhelms (202) 226-7338
Crapo-Susan Wheeler (202) 224-5150
Chafee-Stephen Hourahan (202) 224-6167
MEMBERS OUTLINE NEW APPROACH TO ENDANGERED SPECIES
Pombo, Walden, Crapo, and Chafee announce House-Senate partnership
Washington DC - A new approach to improve and update the Endangered
Species Act was presented at a news conference today with House Resources
Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-California) and Representative Greg
Walden (R-Oregon), along with Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and
Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island), the chairman of the Senate Environment
and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water. The
members signaled the start of a House-Senate partnership approach to
addressing the issue.
"The ESA desperately needs an update and a renewed focus on species
recovery," Chairman Pombo said. "Its one-percent recovery result over the
past thirty years has failed to live up to the Act's noble intent and
our intrinsic values as Americans. These are vital statistics that no
individual can support. As such, I am eager to continue the work that is
being done between our chambers and optimistic that we can breathe new
life into this law for the 21st century."
" It is critical that we modernize and strengthen the 30-year-old ESA
so that it can become a more effective tool for recovering threatened
and endangered species,” said Representative Walden. “As the hard-working
people in Oregon’s Klamath Basin will tell you, and the National
Academy of Sciences will confirm, this well-intended law simply isn't working
as it should. Not only should the health of species throughout the
nation be demonstrably improved by the ESA, but the health of communities
and local economies should also be carefully addressed as they too are
directly impacted by the policy decisions driven by the Act. For the
sake of these communities, imperiled species, and the environment that is
habitat for these species, I am confident we can make positive strides
toward improving the results of the ESA and bringing it into the 21st
century."
"The Endangered Species Act is one of our most important laws and
Congress will soon begin seeing proposals concerning it," said Senator
Crapo. "We have agreed to work together with bill sponsors and I am
determined to achieve this ESA improvement with bipartisan support for a
consistent approach in both chambers. Our goal is to strengthen the ESA by
improving habitat conservation and recovery, providing more and better
incentives, and enhancing the role of states where appropriate. Overall,
we believe the ESA can be less contentious and more effective."
Since 1973, the Endangered Species Act has worked to protect thousands
of species and the habitats upon which they depend,” Chairman Chafee
said. “Across the nation, there are new and innovative approaches to
advancing species conservation and recovery. We will be taking a hard look
at ways to improve the Act in the subcommittee this year by holding
hearings that involve a broad group from the environmental and business
communities. I look forward to working with Senator Crapo, Chairman Pombo
and Representative Walden to craft legislation that enhances recovery
of species and the conservation of habitat.”
"Americans want the Endangered Species Act to achieve its purpose of
recovering species,” said Interior Secretary Gale Norton. “Today’s
announcement that these key members of Congress will be working to update and
strengthen the ESA is noteworthy and encouraging We are prepared to
work with Congress and stakeholders to identify ways to improve the
recovery of endangered species."
The members focused on issues like addressing priorities, increasing
funding, and more inclusive participation in scientific questions.
While hearings are not yet scheduled, we expect to see bills
introduced and we will work with all sponsors to coordinate a positive effort
this year.
###
Thursday, February 10, 2005
CONTACT:
Pombo-Brian Kennedy (202) 226-9019
Walden-Angela Wilhelms (202) 226-7338
Crapo-Susan Wheeler (202) 224-5150
Chafee-Stephen Hourahan (202) 224-6167
MEMBERS OUTLINE NEW APPROACH TO ENDANGERED SPECIES
Pombo, Walden, Crapo, and Chafee announce House-Senate partnership
Washington DC - A new approach to improve and update the Endangered
Species Act was presented at a news conference today with House Resources
Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-California) and Representative Greg
Walden (R-Oregon), along with Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and
Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island), the chairman of the Senate Environment
and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water. The
members signaled the start of a House-Senate partnership approach to
addressing the issue.
"The ESA desperately needs an update and a renewed focus on species
recovery," Chairman Pombo said. "Its one-percent recovery result over the
past thirty years has failed to live up to the Act's noble intent and
our intrinsic values as Americans. These are vital statistics that no
individual can support. As such, I am eager to continue the work that is
being done between our chambers and optimistic that we can breathe new
life into this law for the 21st century."
" It is critical that we modernize and strengthen the 30-year-old ESA
so that it can become a more effective tool for recovering threatened
and endangered species,” said Representative Walden. “As the hard-working
people in Oregon’s Klamath Basin will tell you, and the National
Academy of Sciences will confirm, this well-intended law simply isn't working
as it should. Not only should the health of species throughout the
nation be demonstrably improved by the ESA, but the health of communities
and local economies should also be carefully addressed as they too are
directly impacted by the policy decisions driven by the Act. For the
sake of these communities, imperiled species, and the environment that is
habitat for these species, I am confident we can make positive strides
toward improving the results of the ESA and bringing it into the 21st
century."
"The Endangered Species Act is one of our most important laws and
Congress will soon begin seeing proposals concerning it," said Senator
Crapo. "We have agreed to work together with bill sponsors and I am
determined to achieve this ESA improvement with bipartisan support for a
consistent approach in both chambers. Our goal is to strengthen the ESA by
improving habitat conservation and recovery, providing more and better
incentives, and enhancing the role of states where appropriate. Overall,
we believe the ESA can be less contentious and more effective."
Since 1973, the Endangered Species Act has worked to protect thousands
of species and the habitats upon which they depend,” Chairman Chafee
said. “Across the nation, there are new and innovative approaches to
advancing species conservation and recovery. We will be taking a hard look
at ways to improve the Act in the subcommittee this year by holding
hearings that involve a broad group from the environmental and business
communities. I look forward to working with Senator Crapo, Chairman Pombo
and Representative Walden to craft legislation that enhances recovery
of species and the conservation of habitat.”
"Americans want the Endangered Species Act to achieve its purpose of
recovering species,” said Interior Secretary Gale Norton. “Today’s
announcement that these key members of Congress will be working to update and
strengthen the ESA is noteworthy and encouraging We are prepared to
work with Congress and stakeholders to identify ways to improve the
recovery of endangered species."
The members focused on issues like addressing priorities, increasing
funding, and more inclusive participation in scientific questions.
While hearings are not yet scheduled, we expect to see bills
introduced and we will work with all sponsors to coordinate a positive effort
this year.
###