Ocean Conservancy has applauded the Obama administration for restoring crucial protections written into the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which the Bush administration revoked.
Environmental leaders in Congress had authorised the administration to take such action in the recent omnibus appropriations bill. With this reversal by the Obama administration, federal agencies are required once again to seek independent review of projects to determine if they could impact threatened or endangered species. The independent review process of the ESA ensures that threats from federal actions are minimised and cumulative effects from all activities are considered for each endangered species.
Vicki Cornish, vice president of marine wildlife conservation for Ocean Conservancy, issued the following statement in response to the new rule:
"A pillar of the landmark Endangered Species Act, one of our most important environmental laws, has been restored. Science will once again be used in the review of federal actions to ensure no harm is done to endangered species or their habitat and that protections are in place for their recovery. In his Inaugural address President Obama promised science would play a major role in his decision-making, and his actions today reflect that commitment.
“Dozens of marine animals are on the brink of extinction. Only about 400 North Atlantic right whales, 350 Cook Inlet beluga whales and 1200 Hawaiian monk seals remain, and there is a severe decline in numbers of nesting leatherbacks in the Pacific. Without the Endangered Species Act, we could lose these species forever,” concluded Ms Cornish.
