Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative:

The Endangered Species Act is the safety net for fish, plants and wildlife that are on the brink of extinction. This law has successfully prevented the extinction of our nation’s majestic symbol, the American Bald Eagle and many other species.However, this law is being threatened by two bills recently passed by the House Resources Committee, Rep. Dennis Cardoza’s (D-CA) “Critical Habitat Reform Act of 2003” (HR 2933) and Rep. Greg Walden’s (R-OR) “Sound Science for Endangered Species Planning Act” (HR 1662). Rep. Dennis Cardoza’s “Critical Habitat Reform Act of 2003”— HR 2933, tries to undermine protections for the places that imperiled plants and animals need to survive and recover. 

The Cardoza bill creates loopholes by making numerous changes in the definition of critical habitat, thus making it increasingly more difficult for species to return from the brink of extinction. It also excludes large portions of precious habitat from even being considered for protections under the law. Critical habitat is one of the most important protections in the Endangered Species Act. Scientists tell us the main reason species are becoming endangered is loss of habitat.

Rep. Walden’s (R-OR) “Sound Science for Endangered Species Planning Act” — HR 1662, seeks to undercut the use of the best science. By requiring government agencies to “give greater weight” to some kinds of science over others, it seeks to restrict the use of important methods that scientists currently use to assess species’ protection, such as statistical tools that often provide the important insight about species. Scientists, not Congress, should determine which science best addresses any given issue.

The Endangered Species Act already requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. FWS) to use the most rigorous science available in developing balanced solutions to prevent the extinction of endangered fish, plants and wildlife. Even the General Accounting Office in its research has found that the U.S. FWS already uses the best science available in its endangered species decisions. Developers, and the politicians they give money to, are trying to weaken the Endangered Species Act. They are manipulating science to fit their political agenda and working to remove the checks and balances that help protect people and wildlife from special interests.

We owe it to our children and grandchildren to be good stewards of the environment and leave behind a legacy of protecting endangered species and the special places they call home. We have a responsibility to prevent the extinction of fish, plants and wildlife because once they are gone, we cannot bring them back. As a concerned constituent of your district, I urge to actively oppose these two bills that would weaken the safety net provided by the Endangered Species Act.

Sincerely,

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