| -
For the first time since 1988, Congress is on the edge to act on a permanent modification
of the ESA. Also, this would be the first ESA-related legislation enacted since
the temporary flood control exemption was passed in 1997.
- Please
contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to urge them to pass the Defense
Authorization bill!
On
May 22, the House approved, 361-68, the FY2004 defense authorization bill (H.R.
1588). The same day, the Senate approved its version of the bill (S.
1050) by a vote of 98-1. The House of Representatives and Senate are expected
to go to conference committee on the defense authorization legislation in the
next few weeks. Both
the House and Senate versions of the defense authorization legislation include
ESA exemptions for defense-related activities. The original proposal in both the
House and Senate was essentially to amend the ESA to include a provision prohibiting
the designation of critical habit on "lands or other geographical areas" owned,
controlled, or designated for use by the Department of Defense that are subject
to an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan under the Sikes Act. The House
Defense Authorization bill, as approved, maintained the original language. However,
the Senate version was amended during floor consideration to provide that the
exemption from critical habitat designations would only apply in instances where
the Secretary of the Interior makes written findings that the Sikes Act resource
management plan effectively conserves the endangered or threatened species and
that adequate funding exists for the implementation of the resources management
plan. Both the House and Senate versions also amend the required considerations
for designation of critical habitat to include assessment of the impact on national
security. The
National Grange's position on this bill is spoken by the following policies we
have: -
The National Grange supports legislation allowing farmers, ranchers and others
to protect their property from predators, including endangered species.
-
The National Grange encourages Congress to amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
to restore proper perspective by requiring public hearings and economic impact
statements on the impacts to the affected areas before a species may be listed.The
National Grange reaffirms its call for complete and comprehensive reform of the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) so that it shall no longer take total precedence
over property rights, energy development, and fire suppression.
Action
Plan --- Please contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to urge them
to pass the Defense Authorization bill! House
Representative | Senators
If you have
any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst Chil-Sook
Hwang by fax: 202-347-1091 or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109. Thank you
for your grassroots participation in the National Grange Legislative program.
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