Revived (federal) rule says rare species won't stop projects under way

[enough]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/10390845.htm


Revived rule says rare species won't stop projects under way
Posted on Sat, Dec. 11, 2004
By John Heilprin
Associated Press


WASHINGTON - The Bush administration said yesterday it would allow developers to complete construction and other projects even after belated discoveries that the work could endanger protected species.

The new rules from the Interior Department's Fish and Wildlife Service restore a Clinton-era initiative known as "no surprises." It will let federal agencies give blanket assurances to home builders, timber and mining companies, and other developers that they won't have unforeseen requirements to protect rare species once a project has begun.

snip>

Bobby Rayburn, president of the National Association of Home Builders, said the rules struck "a fair balance between two important priorities: protecting endangered species and building adequate, affordable housing."

snip>

Eric Glitzenstein, a Washington-based lawyer for the groups, said the rules remained "a legally and scientifically bankrupt policy that can only drive species closer to extinction."


Short article (only two more paragraphs).

[phantom power]

1. Imagine, more policy unguided by changing facts.

Maybe they will just make a new blanket law, that says no decisions can ever be changed again, due to new information becoming available.

[Calvinist Basset]

2. I didn't think I could be any angrier at Bush.

But this proved me wrong.

[blindpig]

3. so all they need to do

is to bust ass to get the project started and then a Bachman's warbler nest won't stop it. Thanks, Big Dog!

[amazona]

4. is Bachman's Warbler an endangered species?

Or is it an extinct species? I recently learned that extinct species have no protection under the ESA because they are not listed as endangered or threatened so if a Bachman's Warbler's nest were rediscovered it might not be able to receive protection in time any way because of the backlog of species awaiting listing. IIRC the example used in the article I read was Ivory-Billed Woodpecker.

[blindpig]

5. questionable

I'm not sure if it has been listed. For a species to be declared extinct there must be no sightings for either 25 or 30 years. I'll look into it. I know that both it and the Ivorybill are not in the new Silbey's (sp?) field guide.

Perhaps a bad example, how about a bog turtle hibernaculum?

[XemaSab]

6. I saw a Bachman's

Near the Pee Dee river in South Carolina.

Olive back and wings, yellow breast and belly, black cap, and black throat.

I stood there gaping at it for about 5 minutes, just in complete, utter SHOCK, then an adult male Hooded flew up and started feeding it.

[amazona]

7. a similar experience

Yeah me too. Almost exactly the same deal -- then the male Hooded came up to bring me back to reality. Those female/immatures can be tricky.

[blindpig]

9. you shameful person

liked to choke when I saw your subject line. ;>}

I can dream, can't I? The real pity is that we're reduced to dreaming.

[enki23]

8. god has spoken. the god-squad is no longer needed.

it will just be assumed to be in assent.

notice, however, that this started during the clinton administration.