San Diego Union Tribune: Protection in jeopardy?

[question everything]

Protection in jeopardy?

Federal officials say they cannot determine effectiveness of Endangered Species Act

By Mike Lee
STAFF WRITER

April 3, 2006

When U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials asked for $141 million to fund the endangered species program next year, they inserted a startling note: They can't prove how well their past efforts have worked.

“It is difficult to determine whether the program . . . is effective, achieving results and maximizing net benefits,” according to a 2005 audit that was quoted in the budget document.

(snip)

Fish and Wildlife's most recent report to Congress on the progress of its species recovery efforts, now almost four years old, is hardly encouraging. It said 30 percent of the protected species were stable and 21 percent were declining. Six percent were improving, even though the act is designed so that, eventually, species will sustain and increase their numbers on their own. The agency could not describe the status of more than one-third of the species – about 500 – in even the most general terms.

(snip)

The vagueness also leaves a wide field for interest groups – from environmentalists to property-rights activists – to spin the data. With glossy mailers, news releases and Web sites, the groups tout what suits their political agendas and downplay the rest.

(snip)



Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060403/news_1n3status.html



A member of San Diego County's protected species club - the bald eagle - appears to be moving off the list. However, it is unclear how much credit the Endangered Species Act should receive. These bald eagles were nesting near Lake Henshaw.




San Diego County is home to a large collection of imperiled species, which include the bald eagle. Nesting bald eagles were seen near Lake Henshaw last week where a chick looked up at one of the adults after being fed.

[klook]

1. If the Endangered Species Act truly isn't working, then maybe it's time

to strengthen it!!! :grr:

Of course, that won't happen until we elect some politicians who are committed to conservation, because the people currently running our government are looking for any excuse to get rid of environmental protections.