1997 FWOC Resolution
No. 15:
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THE ENDANGERED SPECIES RECOVERY ACT
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First enacted in 1973, the
Endangered Species Act, is our strongest environmental law. That
is because once a species is listed as "threatened" or "endangered"
under its terms, no public agency or private person or corporation can
kill or "take" such a species. This requirement is absolute.
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Because the Act is so
strong, and because it is our only law which emphasizes the primacy of
scientific findings over economics, it has come under heavy attack from
developers, logging and mining interests, and their political
allies. There have been repeated efforts to weaken or repeal it,
especially in recent years. All these efforts have failed because
public support for the Act is so strong.
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At the same time, there is
a growing consensus among scientists that the Act could be more
effective if it were updated to incorporate the latest scientific
knowledge. Such improvements would include: 1). a greater
emphasis on the whole ecosystem and habitat of an affected species,
instead of the focus on just the species itself. 2). a pro-active
"early warning: approach, instead of the present "emergency room"
situation. 3). stronger efforts to involve private landowners in
species conservation through financial rewards and incentives as well
as joint planning.
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Recently, Congressman
George Miller (D-CA) introduced HR 2351. the Endangered Species
Recovery Act, along with 55 co-sponsors from both parties. HR
2351 embraces all the new concepts outline above and represents a
positive pro-active approach to modern endangered species protection.
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the Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs endorses and supports HR 2351. We also urge that a
companion bill be introduced in the Senate as soon as possible.
The FWOC fully supports the efforts of the Endangered Species Coalition
to pass HR 2351.
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F.W.O.C. urges its member clubs
and members to write their Congressperson and urge them to become
co-sponsors of this bill.
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