The ESA was passed to ensure…

The ESA was passed to ensure protections for species at risk. It is important to note the reasons why species become at risk: habitat loss from development, agriculture, pollution, resource exploitation and industrial activity. In other words, human activity is causing species to become endangered or extinct. The problem is us.

Area of focus #1:
It is impossible to answer these questions without first knowing how landscape approach would work. How would decisions be made about tradeoffs? How would conflicts between species be resolved? What criteria would be used to prioritize one species over another? Would there be a risk-based approach?

Area of focus #2:
The public should NOT have a say in which species become listed. This process should be transparent (i.e. share information with the public), but decisions should not be influenced by public or industry opinion. These decisions should be based on science, evidence and risk. It is absolutely ludicrous to suggest that biased industrial opinions should outweigh good evidence.

Area of focus #3:
Time limits for government response statements should not be extended. This is a time sensitive issue that requires urgent action. The reason it takes so long to develop these statements is because of capacity limitations. So the solution is not to extend the timelines! The solution is to increase staffing levels and investment in recovering species at risk.

Area of focus #4:
Allowing adverse impacts to species at risk is counterproductive to the goal of recovery. Authorizations should be limited to exceptional circumstances only. A conservation fund is a band-aid solution that does not fix the problem. The only thing that will help species at risk recover is to stop destroying their habitat.