NYT: Interior Official and Federal Biologists Clash on Danger to Grouse

[DeepModem Mom]

Interior Official and Federal Biologists Clash on Danger to Bird
By FELICITY BARRINGER
Published: December 5, 2004


LA JOLLA, Calif., Dec. 4 - The scientific opinions of a Bush administration appointee at the Interior Department with no background in wildlife biology were provided as part of the source material for the panel of Fish and Wildlife Service biologists and managers who recommended against giving the greater sage grouse protection under the endangered species act.

The appointee, Julie MacDonald, a senior policymaker, criticized studies showing widespread loss of grouse territory and sporadic declines in grouse populations.

Recommendations by the department's panels of experts are usually followed. Steve Williams, director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, must make a final decision by Dec. 29.

The sage grouse, whose habitat overlaps areas of likely oil and gas deposits across states like Wyoming and Montana, would likely become an economic headache to the energy and cattle industries if it were listed. A listing can trigger extensive regulation and increase costs and delays....

***

The issue of political overseers modifying information from federal scientists that conflicts with policy goals has arisen periodically in recent years, most notably in the area of climate change. It has not been as visible in biology, an arena important to conservation groups, extractive industries and others concerned with the Endangered Species Act....


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/05/national/05bird.html

[pmbryant]

1. Yet more outrageous science-bashing by the Bushies

Treating the views of the entire scientific community as if it were just "an industry publication"!

Shameful. Disgraceful. An embarrassment.

Have they forgotten what country we live in?

--Peter