Representatives from four northern California environmental organizations met with Congressman Mike Thompson to discuss the recent threats to our Endangered Species Act.

Britt Bailey (Environmental Commons), Tim McKay (Northcoast Environmental Center), Sara Matsumoto (Endangered Species Coalition), and Craig Bell (Salmonid Restoration Federation) presented a letter signed by twenty groups within the district urging Congressman Thompson's continued support of a strong, national Endangered Species Act. In addition, the group took the opportunity to discuss two recently introduced bills that would severely weaken the Endangered Species Act.

From L-R: Sara Matsumoto, Tim McKay, Congressman Thompson, Britt Bailey, Craig Bell

For over thirty years, the Endangered Species Act has been the safety net for wildlife, fish, and plants on the brink of extinction. It has been successful in preventing the extinction of the American bald eagle, the gray wolf, and the Pacific salmon. Over 98% of species listed under the Act continue to exist in large part because of its scientific and ecological underpinnings. However, the Endangered Species Act is being threatened. Two bills have been introduced that would seriously undermine vital aspects of the Endangered Species Act.

HR 1299, introduced by Representative Dennis Cardoza (R-CA), is titled the "Critical Habitat Enhancement Act of 2005" - but "enhancement" is clearly a misnomer. Under current law, designating critical habitat is required and is essential to the recovery of a species. Critical habitat provides protection the endangered wildlife need to thrive and recover. For example, critical habitat for endangered Coho salmon would add protections to allow for suitable spawning areas, maintenance of food sources, and areas needed for shelter. Cardoza's bill would undermine the critical habitat requirement by making the designation of habitat discretionary when "practicable." Because the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has already taken the position that designating critical habitat is never "practicable" because of budget constraints, this bill could effectively eliminate valuable habitat designations for endangered and threatened species.

HR 1837, introduced by Representative Jeff Flake (R-AZ), would exempt rivers and adjoining riparian habitat from critical habitat designations. The bill would also lower standards for Habitat Conservation Plans. Conservation plans were created in 1982 to allow private landowners to kill or harm endangered species only if they mitigate or minimize the harm "to the maximum extent practicable."

Congressman Thompson has a respectable history of supporting and valuing the Endangered Species Act as well as its specific provisions. He seemed sincerely alert to the need to continue being a champion for our endangered and threatened species, as well as the biodiverse ecosystem it supports.