Thank you for outlining the…

Thank you for outlining the proposed changes. However, I am concerned for the following reasons:

1) Although the status of endangered and threatened species rests with COSSARO, I am concerned that the government will be able to add or remove species from the ESA list. I feel like the government should not have this liberty. Any changes to species included in the ESA should be proposed to COSSARO and left to the committee to approve or decline.

2) I disagree with the proposed changes to the definition of "habitat". I think the "habitat" of an animal should include much more than the areas used for hibernating, breeding, rearing, etc. I'm concerned, for example, that areas where animals are able to forage are not included in this definition. "hibernating, breeding, rearing"to me are also static in their stages. I think habitat should also include areas that allow for transit from one place to another (i.e. corridors, migration routes, etc.).

3) I think responsible parties and the government should still be held accountable to developing conservation management plans, and reports that detail the status of species included under the ESA. Keeping reports are vital to the long-term monitoring of species, and I think it will add an additional layer of accountability and responsibility. I think the extra time these steps require are well worth it for the overall benefit of species protection and conservation.