105 Citizen Groups Criticize Anti-Democratic Rulemaking

 For Immediate ReleaseAugust 21, 2008 Contact: Jon Hunter, Endangered Species Coalition (202) 476-0669   Tara Thornton, Endangered Species Coalition (207) 268-2108        105 Citizens Groups Criticize Anti-Democratic RulemakingBush Administration to Cripple Endangered Species Act with Little Public Input, Oversight WASHINGTON-- Today, representatives from 105 conservation and scientific organizations representing millions of American’s submitted a letter to Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez calling for increased transparency and opportunities for public participation on a new rule proposal. The rule, published by the Bush administration in the federal register last week, would radically weaken the Endangered Species Act. The administration is only accepting public comment for 30 days. “Rather than a narrow tweaking of the regulations, the proposal represents a back-door attack on the Endangered Species Act. The American people deserve and expect a full public process to vet such far-reaching changes to this landmark conservation law,” said Leda Huta, Director of the Endangered Species Coalition. The administration is also refusing to accept e-mail comments or hold public hearings on the proposed rule. Instead, comments will be accepted by mail, or through a government Web site that warns reviewers their personal information will be posted on the internet for public dissemination. “It appears as if the administration is doing whatever it can to discourage participation in the democratic process,” said John Kostyack, of the National Wildlife Federation. “I think we can expect more sneaky assaults like this on our public land and wildlife laws as this Administration heads for the exits.” The Associated Press, reporting on leaked documents, revealed last week that the Bush administration plans to weaken the Endangered Species Act. The proposed changes are intended to eliminate the requirement that federal agencies consult with independent wildlife experts and to prohibit consideration of the impacts of global warming on wildlife. "The Bush administration proposal eliminates the critical checks and balances needed to protect imperiled birds and cuts species experts from the process of making decisions that need to be science-based," said Mike Daulton, with National Audubon Society.  “The Endangered Species Act is a safety net for our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction. The Bush administration’s proposed regulations will cut a giant loophole in the safety net,” said Bill Snape of the Center for Biological Diversity. “We have a responsibility to future generations to be good stewards and protect endangered species and the special places they call home.” The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded last year that nearly one-third of plant and animal species on Earth are at an increased risk of extinction due to global warming. “Animals on the brink of extinction need consideration and protection guided by the best experts in the federal government: US Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service biologists,” said Susan Holmes of Earthjustice. The proposed regulatory changes came out in the eleventh hour of the Bush administration. The abbreviated timeline and restrictive commenting options raise serious concerns that the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce is attempting to rewrite a bedrock environmental statute without allowing for adequate public involvement. The proposed regulatory changes were published August 15, 2008, while Congress was out for recess and many Americans were enjoying the summer holiday. Sean Cosgrove with the Conservation Law Foundation agrees, “For one of our nation’s most important and successful environmental laws, the thirty-day comment period is woefully inadequate for the public to review and comment on this critical proposal.”  The coalition is urging DOI and DOC to extend the comment period to 120 days, allowing the public adequate time to address the breadth and depth that these changes to the Endangered Species Act regulations will have on protecting our most imperiled wildlife.  ###       August 21, 2008 Honorable Dirk KempthorneSecretary, Department of the Interior1849 C St., NWWashington, DC 20240 Honorable Carlos M. GutierrezSecretary, Department of Commerce1401 Constitution Ave., NWWashington, DC 20230 RE: Request extension for public comment Dear Secretary Kempthorne and Secretary Gutierrez, On behalf of the millions of members our organizations represent, we are deeply concerned by the process being used to collect public comments on the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act regulations. We plan to submit comments on the more substantive issues in the proposed regulations at a later date, but are writing today to address concerns with the timing and process for submitting public comments. The abbreviated timeline and restrictive commenting options raise serious concerns that the Department of the Interior is attempting to rewrite a bedrock environmental statute without allowing for adequate public involvement. The proposed regulatory changes were published August 15, 2008, while Congress was out for recess and many Americans were enjoying the summer holiday. For one of our nation’s most important and successful environmental laws, the thirty-day comment period is woefully inadequate for the public to review and comment on this critical proposal. We urge you to extend the comment period to one hundred and twenty days, allowing the public adequate time to address the breadth and depth that these changes to the Endangered Species Act regulations will have on protecting our most imperiled wildlife.   In addition, the Department of the Interior and Department of Commerce should increase the public’s opportunities to comment. The agencies should hold field hearings around the country, thus giving citizens the opportunity to learn, understand and comment on the proposed changes directly.  Finally, toallow more of the public to provide input on this far reaching proposal,we request you also make it easier to submit comments by allowing for e-mail and fax submissions. The proposed regulation changes may have a profound effect on how the Endangered Species Act is implemented. The American people need the appropriate length of time and means of opportunity to comment on them. Sincerely,  Leda HutaExecutive DirectorEndangered Species Coalition Nicole Rosmarino, Ph.D.Wildlife Program DirectorWildEarth Guardians Scott Hoffman BlackEcologist/EntomologistExecutive DirectorThe Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Bill SnapeSenior CounselCenter for Biological Diversity Bethanie WalderExecutive DirectorWildlands Center for Preventing Roads Andrew FahlundVice President for ConservationAmerican Rivers Josh PollockConservation DirectorCenter for Native Ecosystems Andrew E. WetzlerDirector, Endangered Species ProjectNatural Resources Defense Council Emily B. Roberson, Ph.D.DirectorNative Plant Conservation Campaign Daryl DeJoyExecutive DirectorWildlife Alliance of Maine Daniel PattersonEcologist & Southwest Director Public Employees for Environmental ResponsibilityR. Nicole CordanPolicy & Legal DirectorSave Our Wild Salmon William F. "Zeke" Grader Executive DirectorPacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations (PCFFA) Dan SilverExecutive DirectorEndangered Habitats League Jym St. PierreMaine DirectorRESTORE: The North Woods Chuck WillerExecutive DirectorCoast Range Association Gale DupreeDirectorNevada Wildlife Federation Sean CosgroveCampaign DirectorConservation Law Foundation William W. Rossiter President Cetacean Society International Buffalo BruceVice-ChairWestern Nebraska Recources Council Chuck WillerExecutive DirectorCoast Range Association Mike PetersenExecutive DirectorThe Lands Council and theNational Forest Protection Alliance  Dr. Shirley McGreal, OBEChairwomanInternational Primate Protection League Robert R. Alexander, PhDAssociate Professor of Environmental StudiesDepartment of  Environmental StudiesSweet Briar College Rainer W. Bussmann, Ph.D.William L. Brown Curator of Economic BotanyHead, Wm. L. Brown Center for Plant Genetic ResourcesMissouri Botanical Garden D.J. SchubertWildlife BiologistAnimal Welfare Institute Henk van der WerffCurator and Deputy Head of Research Missouri Botanical Garden Heidi H. SchmidtManaging EditorFlora of North AmericaMissouri Botanical Garden Peter F. StevensDepartment of BiologyUniversity of Missouri Thia E. ArtemisDirectorANIMAL ANSWERS International, LLC Howard J. BrownDirectorRhode Island Interfaith Power and Light Elizabeth Hurst-WaitzPresidentCentral New Mexico Audubon Society Dr. C. Mark Rockwell, D.C.V.P. Conservation, Northern Calif. Council,Federation of Fly Fishers Jack ClarkeDirector of Public Policy & Government RelationsMassachusetts Audubon Bob LukinicPresidentSouthern Maryland Audubon Society Shane JimerfieldExecutive DirectorSiskiyou Project Kevin J. RoeConservation CommitteeAmerican Malacological Society Cynthia SarthouExecutive DirectorGulf Restoration Network Tracy DavidsExecutive DirectorWild South Peter C. Hoch CuratorMissouri Botanical Garden Arlene MontgomeryProgram DirectorFriends of the Wild Swan Greg DysonExecutive DirectorHells Canyon Preservation Council John KostyackExecutive DirectorWildlife Conservation and Global WarmingNational Wildlife Federation Dan Brister, MSProject DirectorBuffalo Field Campaign Nina Bell, J.D.Executive DirectorNorthwest Environmental Advocates Doug OlanderEditor in ChiefSport Fishing Richard Delaney Executive DirectorCenter for Coastal Studies Michael StockerDirectorOcean Conservation Research Kathy FletcherExecutive DirectorPeople For Puget Sound   Paulette HammondPresidentMaryland Conservation Council, Inc.Convenor, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland Committee on the Environment Tony LangbehnConvenorMaryland United for Peace and Justice, Inc. Leah ElwellConservation CoordinatorFederation of Fly Fishers John PassacantandoExecutive DirectorGreenpeace USA Bill AkinPresidentConcerned Citizens of Montauk Tim DillinghamExecutive DirectorAmerican Littoral Society Dave FerrellEditorMarlin magazine Susan A. Holmes Senior Legislative Representative Earthjustice Duane ShortWild Species Program DirectorBiodiversity Conservation Alliance Brett MatzkeWild and Native Trout ManagerCalifornia Trout, Inc. Jerry R. Boggs, Ph.D.Executive DirectorSelkirk Conservation Alliance Greer S. GoldmanAssistant General CounselNational Audubon Society Peter HartConservation Analyst/Staff AttorneyWilderness Workshop Dan MorsePublic Lands DirectorHigh Country Citizens' Alliance Mary Beth BeethamLegislative DirectorDefenders of Wildlife Cindy LowryExecutive DirectorAlabama Rivers Alliance Veronica EganExecutive DirectorGreat Old Broads for WildernessJohn M. Fitzgerald, J.D.Policy DirectorSociety for Conservation Biology Hilary WhiteDirectorSheep Mountain Alliance Lydia MillerPresident                                              San Joaquin Raptor/Wildlife Rescue Center  Bill JenningsChairman and Executive DirectorCalifornia Sportfishing Protection Alliance             Bill HatchBoard MemberSan Joaquin Valley Conservancy Maureen McCorryDirectorSan Joaquin Et Al David WadePresidentEndangered Small Animal Conservation Fund Janet EllisProgram DirectorMontana Audubon Tom SobalCoordinatorQuiet Use Coalition Meade Cadot,Executive DirectorThe Harris Center for Conservation Education Cindy ClausDirectorJenkinson's Aquarium Scott D. Kraus, PhD.Vice President of ResearchNew England Aquarium Francesca T. Grifo, Ph.DDirector and Senior ScientistScientific Integrity ProgramUnion of Concerned Scientists Timothy Donaghy, Ph.DAnalystScientific Integrity ProgramUnion of Concerned Scientists Ileene AndersonConservation Committee memberCalifornia Native Plant Society Allison FordProgram AssociateThe Otter Project Debbie Sease Legislative Director Sierra Club Greg KingExecutive DirectorNorthcoast Environmental Center Dionna HumphreyAssociate Director of AdvocacyNational Parks Conservation Association David GodfreyExecutive DirectorCaribbean Conservation Corporation Cindy ShoganExecutive DirectorAlaska Wilderness League Matt AutenPresident.Environment Council of Rhode Island  Michael SuttonVice President & DirectorCenter for the Future of the OceansMonterey Bay Aquarium Paul G. JohnsonPresidentREEF RELIEF Elizabeth MurdockExecutive DirectorGolden Gate Audubon Society Dr. John W. Grandy,Senior Vice-president for Wildlife and Habitat ProtectionThe Humane Society of the U.S. Lois BarberDirectorEarthAction Jenn Burns GrayStaff Attorney and AdvocateMaine Audubon Carol WithamDirectorVernalPools.org Byron Leydecker, JCTChairFriends of Trinity River Florence M LaRiviereChairpersonThe Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge Rob FisherExecutive DirectorEcological Conservation Organization   Regna MerrittExecutive DirectorOregon Wild Robert StackExecutive DirectorJumping Frog Research Institute Beth LowellFederal Policy DirectorOceana Camilla H. FoxDirector, Wildlife ConsultantProject Coyote Franz J. Camenzind, Ph.D.Executive DirectorJackson Hole Conservation Alliance Sophie OsbornWildlife Program ManagerWyoming Outdoor Council Vicki CornishVice President, Marine Wildlife ConservationOcean Conservancy   Cc: Chairwoman Boxer, Chairman Rahall, Mr. Lyle Laverty, and Mr. James Lecky