Bush 'seeks to ease wildlife law'

[gayarabianman]

US environmentalists have accused President George W Bush of trying to rush through changes to the Endangered Species Act in his last days in office.
They say the changes could take away protection for animals and plants facing possible extinction.
The Bush administration wants to make it easier for drilling, mining and major construction projects to go ahead without a full scientific assessment.
Under current rules, the impact of such projects must be assessed by experts.
The changes proposed by the Bush administration would let federal agencies make the decisions without a full scientific assessment as to the likely impact on the environment.
Mr Bush has already been criticised by environmentalists for adding fewer than 10 species of plant and animals a year to the endangered list.
That contrasts with former President Bill Clinton, who added an average of 65 species a year.
Mr Bush has until Friday to publish the new rules, if they are to take effect before he leaves office.
If he presses ahead, environmental groups and some states are almost certain to challenge the decision in the courts.
President-elect Barack Obama will take office on 20 January, 2009.


Do you think this should still be allowed with him only having 80 days left in office?
I'm not too sure??
I bet in the next few years there will be loads of animals going extinct if laws like this are passed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7738933.stm

[GrinchWSLG]

First of all, there's little to no concrete scientific data backing up animal extinction rates. Second, animals can go extinct even with laws in place, its called natural selection. Spotted Owls, 'saved' by protection laws such as this, (and putting thousands of American loggers out of jobs and shutting down entire towns) are now being threatened by Mexican Owls that have moved their habitat north. The environmentalists' answer? Hunt down the Mexican Owls of course. Doesn't seem right does it?

Whats more important? The livelihood of industry, towns, and families, or a single animal that doesn't know how to/isn't given a chance to adapt? From the outside its easy to cast blame on industry for being evil, but what if that industry is putting food on the table for your family and providing for the future of your children? Owls seem pretty stupid then don't they?

Just doing my part playing the other side.

[Laworkerbee]

Do you think this should still be allowed with him only having 80 days left in office?

You're right, Presidents should only be able to issue orders and such if they have at least 100 days in office.

Get real dude, FFS!

[brainplay]

Do you think this should still be allowed with him only having 80 days left in office?
I'm not too sure??

Until he leaves office he's still the president. If his successor finds a problem with it then he can remove/reestablish/change the policy once he takes office.

This should be grade school level stuff people.

[Andrew Chalmers]

Until he leaves office he's still the president. If his successor finds a problem with it then he can remove/reestablish/change the policy once he takes office.

This should be grade school level stuff people.

However - because of APA regulations, revising some of the regulations/legislative rules will take years.

Thankfully we have the Congressional Review Act so Congress can undue them relatively easily and side stepping the APA.

[brainplay]

So if the regulations/legislative rules take years how is President Bush "rushing" them exactly and why can't his sucessor do the same? Would that be because maybe the policies being "rushed" aren't really being rushed?

[Andrew Chalmers]

So if the regulations/legislative rules take years how is President Bush "rushing" them exactly and why can't his sucessor do the same?

The APA requires certain procedures to be followed when agencies seek to issue regulations ("rulemaking"). It is time consuming, expensive, and often requires lengthy notice & comment opportunities.

The "mad" rush isn't really a last ditched effort - but more of an accelerated attempt to finish something that had been going on for years. Meh - again, Congress may override it anyway.