Save Our Species Alliance Congratulates U.S. House on Updating And Modernizing Endangered Species Act
Posted on: Thursday, 29 September 2005, 21:00 CDT
GOLDEN, Colo., Sept. 29 /U.S. Newswire/ -- With Democrats contributing 36 "yes" votes, the U.S. House passed the first substantive improvements in the Endangered Species Act since it first became law 31 years ago.
The measure, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (TESRA) was the culmination of an effort, led by Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA), and Dennis Cardoza (D- CA) to improve the recovery rate of endangered and threatened species while making the process fairer for landowners.
"During the debate, the entire House of Representatives seemed to agree the ESA is in need of updates and improvements," Pombo said. It's incredible how far we have come.
"What surprised me most today," Pombo added, "was the strong ideological differences about whether or not homeowners should be compensated when their property is taken, as the fifth amendment of the Constitution requires. Upholding this right and partnering with the landowner is the only way we are going to improve the ESA's failing result for recovery. This legislation does just that."
Pombo noted that during the life of the 31-year-old Act just 10 of approximately 1300species listed as threatened or endangered have recovered sufficiently to be de-listed.
Major improvements made by TESRA include mandatory requirements for science-based recovery plans when a species is listed as threatened or endangered. It also provides for incentives for voluntary conservation efforts by private property owners and compensation for value lost from restrictions on land use. Some criticized compensating landowners as being too costly but the Congressional Budget Office predicted those costs would be quite modest.
http://www.usnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Newswire
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