Protection endangered

The Bush administration's effort to gut the Endangered Species Act imperils wildlife in Maryland

Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club, points to another concern: Agencies could revert to pre-Endangered Species Act tactics of cutting big projects into a series of small ones that fall under the radar.

The public largely has been excluded from the review process for the rule changes. The Interior Department is circumventing normal feedback methods by not allowing e-mailed or faxed comments or scheduling public hearings.

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California and other lawmakers protested to Mr. Kempthorne, asking him to abandon the plan, or at least to schedule public hearings and extend the review period to six months. Mr. Kempthorne extended the public comment period just 30 days, to Oct. 15. In September's Senate oversight hearings on the proposed changes, Interior Department witnesses declined to appear.

The proposed amendments mirror those pushed by industry groups over the last eight years, changes that the administration has been repeatedly unsuccessful passing through Congress. In this 11th-hour attempt to undermine environmental protections, congressional approval is not needed, and the initiative is on track to be shoved through before President Bush leaves office.

This is the latest effort by this administration to dismantle fundamental environmental laws and circumvent an honest discussion.

Sharon Guynup writes on science and the environment. This article was distributed by Bay Journal News Service.