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What is the Publicly-Supported Endangered Species Act?

From the National Wildlife Federation.

The Endangered Species Act is a federal law initially passed by Congress in 1973 in an attempt to counteract the alarming rate of species extinction. The Act provides a means of conserving plants and animals that are currently in danger of extinction (endangered species) and also protects the ecosystems necessary for their survival.

Once a species is identified as being in trouble, it is put on a list of threatened or endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is then responsible for developing a plan for recovering it, and insuring that government and citizen actions do not further harm the species.

There are many misconceptions about the effects of the Endangered Species Act on people. The media and some industry groups often portray the Act as pitting animals and plants against jobs and development. In reality, however, the Act helps people by protecting species and their ecosystems, which provide so many human benefits.

Between 1979 and 1992, of the more than 145,000 federal projects reviewed under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for possible effects on threatened or endangered species, less than one percent were found to jeopardize a listed species. Of the 145,000 projects reviewed, only 69 were canceled following section 7 consultation. This means that an average of only two projects per year are blocked or withdrawn due to the protection of species and habitat under the Endangered Species Act.

In 1997, the NWF-commissioned poll found that 84 percent of the public supports broad endangered species protection.

The Endangered Species Coalition’s press release of July 26, 1999, states that 84% of Americans still support current or stronger (Endangered Species Act) ESA.

Just as the Senate prepared to vote on provisions to undermine the Endangered Species Act, a recent poll conducted through the University of Arizona confirms that the vast majority of the public still supports the ESA.

While 35% of those polled said that the law should remain the same, an even larger percentage (49%) said the ESA should be strengthened. Only 16% thought it should be weakened or repealed.

The Endangered Species Coalition is made up of more than 380 conservation, scientific, religious, and business organizations. For more information, check out www.stopextinction.org.

"Democracy means listening to the people," said Endangered Species Coalition Director Brock Evans.

This column originally appeared in December 2000 in the Chico Examiner.