Three Cheers for President Obama
- Andrew Wetzler
- Director, Endangered Species Project, Chicago
- Blog | About
- Posted March 3, 2009 in Saving Wildlife and Wild Places , U.S. Law and Policy
I just finished watching President Obama's stirring speech to employees of the Department of the Interior. As expected, the President announced that he was issuing a memorandum ordering federal agencies to resume Endangered Species Act consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service where they would have been required to do so under the old Act's rules, but now no longer are. Here are the key graphs:
I hereby request the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to review the regulation issued on December 16, 2008, and to determine whether to undertake new rulemaking procedures with respect to consultative and concurrence processes that will promote the purposes of the ESA.
Until such review is completed, I request the heads of all agencies to exercise their discretion, under the new regulation, to follow the prior longstanding consultation and concurrence practices involving the FWS and NMFS.
This effectively suspends former President Bush's regulatory changes to the Endangered Species Act and restores the status quo to one of our most important environmental laws. All of our nation's endangered species--from polar bears to silvery minnows--will benefit.
And my favorite line in the President's speech? He said: "we should be looking for ways to improve [the Endangered Species Act], not weaken it."
Amen.
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Comments
Dave Reid — Mar 3 2009 07:21 PM
There really is just so much he has to undue isn't there. And unfortunately this is just the recent stuff, the cleanup is going to take awhile.
Maryann Reilly — Mar 4 2009 01:28 PM
Thank God we have Barack Obama as our President !! After 8 years of someone who seemed determined to destroy all land, wildlife, etc. I suppose to get to oil. With all the President has to do --with so many people down on his every word--For him to take the time and CARE enough to do this--as always knowing he will meet republican opposition--I am just so thankful to him. Maybe we should focus on thanking him for what he has done for our cause so far --instead of thinking so much about how much there is to do!
Joan Groom — Mar 5 2009 11:09 AM
YES! You go President Obama!!
I was sickened as I read about Bush's last minute attacks on our environment - He and his distain for knowledge and his willingness to sell our environment to the highest bidder were just some of the reasons I voted for now President Obama - I'm so thankful for "intelligent rule" - every species we loose on this planet drags our species closer to the edge. Would I starve humans to save a species "NO" the goal is to save ourselves and as much of this planet as is possible!! JGroom
ELINOR — Mar 5 2009 10:23 PM
PRESIDENT OBAMA...I HAVE CRIED SO MANY NIGHTS OVER THE ANIMALS THAT ARE BEING TORTURED AND KILLED WITH NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER...I WATCH THE SLAUGHTER IN DARFUR TOO....I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS WORLD'S COMING TO....I DO KNOW THIS....IT IS NOW A MUCH BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF YOU...GOD BLESS YOU AND WATCH OVER YOU...ELINOR