April 15, 2009

Help Restore Endangered Species Protections

Tell Department of Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar

"Reverse Bush's Bad Changes to the Endangered Species Act"

On March 10th this year Congress gave Secretary Salazar power to rescind Bush's bad rules but only until May 9th. After May 9th an Act of Congress will be required to overturn Bush's anti-endangered species rules.

Over 50,000 citizens have already sent letters to Secretary Salazar asking him to undo the damage Bush did to endangered species but the Secretary has given no clear indication whether he will use the power granted by Congress.

Bush's bad rules

1. allow federal agencies to determine for themselves whether their actions are likely to harm endangered species and whether they need independent scientific review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries services.

Bush's rule eliminated the check and balance system of the Endangered Species Act by waiving requirements that federal agencies consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and that they seek independent science to determine if a proposed federal action poses a threat to Threatened or Endangered Species.

1. prohibit any consideration of the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions from federal projects on endangered species like the polar bear.

For example, greenhouse gas emissions are currently predicted to result in loss of two-thirds of the world's polar bear population by 2050. If the Bush rules are allowed to remain in place, the Fish and Wildlife Service will not be able to consider and mitigate (or reverse) such impacts.

On April 3, 44 members of the House of Representatives, including seven committee chairpersons and several other high-ranking leaders, sent a letter to secretaries Salazar and Locke urging them to use the authority to rescind the rules.

Congress and the American people have expressed strong opposition to Bush administration regulations but Secretary Salazar still needs to hear from YOU!.

Your letter may be the one that convinces the Secretary to do the right thing!

Click EMAIL LETTER link (below) to access the Secretary of Interior website to send your letter.

SAMPLE LETTER (Remember, a personalized letter has more impact! )

Ken Salazar, Secretary
Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington DC 20240

Phone: 202-208-3100

Date:

Dear Secretary Salazar:

I strongly oppose the Bush administration's ill-conceived regulations under Section 4(d) and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, which reduce protections to endangered species and create an exemption for greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Global warming is the number-one threat to sensitive wildlife ranging from the Arctic's polar bears to Wyoming's mountain pikas.

Please revoke Bush's 11th hour regulations within the 60-day window provided by Congress. The Endangered Species Act has an excellent track record of success. It makes no sense, scientifically or legally, to exclude independent scientific consultation and global warming impacts from Endangered Species Act regulations.

I urge you to take this critically important step toward restoring accountability and scientific integrity at the Department of Interior by rescinding Bush's 4(d) and Section 7 regulations, both of which impede the protection of endangered plants, wildlife, and fish.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS

EMAIL LETTER

For more information contact Duane at:
duane@voiceforthewild.org
(307) 742-7978

Thank You for Using Your Voice for the Wild!