These proposed changes to…

These proposed changes to the endangered species act for a new approach do not have the best interest of species at risk in mind. There is already a lack of protection for species at risk and the removal of the minimal protection species do have will lead to an even greater risk of extinction for species that are already not thriving.

The protection of species at risk needs an evidence based approach that involves scientists who have a deep understanding of the species that need protection. This job cannot be left to politicians who do not have an understanding of the complexity of the behaviour, movement, and habitat of certain species.

Having regulatory oversight for developers is also extremely important as any development done on the habitat (including feeding grounds, mating grounds, and overwintering areas) will cause irreversible damage to the species present.

Any changes to the endangered species act should not be taken lightly as one wrong move will have irreversible negative consequences for species at risk. Many of these species at risk also have critical roles in their ecosystems meaning without their presence we will also be losing important ecological areas which will not only have a negative impact on SAR but also species that aren’t currently at risk (ex. due to lack of food if a SAR was prey, overpopulation of certain species that were predated on by SAR, etc.) as well as us as we will being to see degradation of certain areas and many other negative consequences.

Knowing how much damage these proposed changes to the endangered species act will have it is important that everyone involved is aware that it is not a good idea and that any further proposed changes should be in consultation with unbiased scientists as this was clearly something that was overlooked in the current proposal.