Thursday, November 20, 2008 | Reason : Political | print version

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Bush set to relax endangered species rules

by CNN

Thanks to Raiko & Angela for the link.

Reposted from:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/20/bush.environment/index.html

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Animals and plants in danger of extinction could lose protection under new rules
- Rules must be published by Friday to take effect before Obama is sworn in
- Bush administration admit intent to complete endangered species changes quickly

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Animals and plants in danger of becoming extinct could lose the protection of government experts who make sure that dams, highways and other projects don't pose a threat, under regulations the Bush administration is set to put in place before President-elect Obama can reverse them.

The rules must be published Friday to take effect before Obama is sworn in Jan. 20. Otherwise, he can undo them with the stroke of a pen.

The Interior Department rushed to complete the rules in three months over the objections of lawmakers and environmentalists who argued that they would weaken how a landmark conservation law is applied.

A Nov. 12 version of the final rules obtained by the Associated Press has changed little from the original proposal, despite the more than 250,000 comments received since it was first proposed in August.

The rules eliminate the input of federal wildlife scientists in some endangered species cases, allowing the federal agency in charge of building, authorizing or funding a project to determine for itself if it is likely to harm endangered wildlife and plants.

Current regulations require independent wildlife biologists to sign off on these decisions before a project can go forward, at times modifying the design to better protect species.

The regulations also bar federal agencies from assessing emissions of the gases blamed for global warming on species and habitats, a tactic environmentalists have tried to use to block new coal-fired power plants.

Tina Kreisher, an Interior Department spokeswoman, could not confirm whether the rule would be published before the deadline, saying only that the White House was still reviewing it. But she said changes were being made based on the comments received.

"We started this; we want to finish this," said Kreisher.

If the rules go into effect before Obama takes office, they will be difficult to overturn since it would require the new administration to restart the rule-making process. Congress, however, could reverse the rules through the Congressional Review Act, a law that allows review of new federal regulations.

It's been used once in the last 12 years, but some Democratic lawmakers have said they may employ it to block the endangered species rules and other midnight regulations by the Bush administration.

Rep. Nick Rahall, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said Wednesday that he and other Democrats were committed to "the change that is needed."

Drew Hammill, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said the House will be looking at ways to overturn the endangered species rules and other midnight regulations.

"The House, in consultation with the incoming administration and relevant committees, will review what oversight tools are at our disposal regarding this and other last minute attempts to inflict severe damage to the law in the waning moments of the Bush administration," Hammill said.

The Bush administration has made no secret of its intent to complete the endangered species changes quickly.

When the proposal was first announced in August, the public was initially given 30 days to comment. That period was later doubled after Democratic lawmakers pressed for more time.

Then, last month, the head of the endangered species program corralled 15 experts in Washington to sort through 200,000 comments in 32 hours.

"This is definitely lightning quick," said John Kostyack, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Conservation and Global Warming initiative. "I would be surprised that they spent all this time rushing it through if it wasn't greased."

If successful, the Bush administration will accomplish through rules what conservative Republicans have been unable to achieve in Congress: ending some environmental reviews that developers and other federal agencies blame for delays and cost increases on many projects.

Supporters of the changes also expected it to be finalized later this week.

The Pacific Legal Foundation, which advocates for property rights, urged that the rules be approved.

"Litigious activists have used the Endangered Species Act to fight projects," Reed Hopper, the foundation's principal attorney, said in a statement. "The administration's current proposal is a step toward curbing these abuses."

Posted: Thursday, November 20, 2008 | Permalink

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1. Comment #287855 by KRKBAB on November 20, 2008 at 7:03 pm

1/20/09 can't come soon enough.

Other Comments by KRKBAB

2. Comment #287857 by Titania on November 20, 2008 at 7:08 pm

1. Comment #287855 by KRKBAB

Amen.

I seem to be saying that a lot tonight.

Other Comments by Titania

3. Comment #287863 by Sittingduck on November 20, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Bush dosn't have friends called "Turd Blossom" for nothing... What a bunch of crap heads. This year they even devalued the esitmate of the value of a human life so dangerous projects could be shown to have less of an economic impact.

Other Comments by Sittingduck

4. Comment #287864 by splink on November 20, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Bush's brain is like a reverse black hole in which no information can enter.

Other Comments by splink

5. Comment #287870 by Evilcor on November 20, 2008 at 7:56 pm

Also on the agenda: Construction of a giant drill which will carry a nuclear payload to the Earth's core.
Prominent eco-Stalinists whined about it, but they've all been shot.
Can these assholes get any more fucking evil? How about deliberately poisioning schoolchildren on a dare?
This hurry is actually hopeful. . . it means Fuckwit and Darth Vader are actually planning to leave power. A month ago I would've given that 8-to-5 against.

Can we put them all in jail? Gitmo, maybe? Republicans look HOT in orange jumpsuits!

Other Comments by Evilcor

6. Comment #287883 by shaunfletcher on November 20, 2008 at 9:08 pm

If they are dumb enough to think any of their rulings will be 'non reversible' with an opposing president, senate and house in place then, well, they are very dumb indeed.

Other Comments by shaunfletcher

7. Comment #287892 by Evilcor on November 20, 2008 at 9:56 pm

They don't have to be reversible. It's better for Fox News if they ARE reversed. Then it's just hippies and their out of control big government.

Other Comments by Evilcor

8. Comment #287896 by Eshto on November 20, 2008 at 11:04 pm

God dammit can someone stop these people already?!?

AAAAAGH it's infuriating. How can an administration be consistently wrong on EVERY SINGLE ISSUE? EVER???

But yeah, from what I've been hearing, it won't be all that difficult for Obama's administration to overturn most of this crap.

But shit, come on. Are these people actually trying to go down in history as the douchebags of the century?

Other Comments by Eshto

9. Comment #287901 by DamnDirtyApe on November 20, 2008 at 11:41 pm

Absolutely dire.

Other Comments by DamnDirtyApe

10. Comment #287903 by Bonzai on November 20, 2008 at 11:56 pm

I hope the idiot is not going to start another war before leaving office.

Other Comments by Bonzai

11. Comment #287905 by GandalfGrey on November 21, 2008 at 12:16 am

It seems typical:
Problem: We have too many endangered species!
Solution: Change the definition of endangered species

Problem solved.

Other Comments by GandalfGrey

12. Comment #287906 by mordacious1 on November 21, 2008 at 12:17 am

I love this video, shows how much people respect the bush:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/20/world-leaders-dont-shake_n_145141.html

How pathetic can you be.

Other Comments by mordacious1

13. Comment #287908 by Laurie Fraser on November 21, 2008 at 12:29 am

I am revolted by what will become the legacy of Bush/Cheney. Not only has this administration exacerbated poverty, disease and hunger around the world, but it has abrogated, completely, its responsibility to the natural world as well. Bush, Cheney, and the entire band of thugs have committed crimes against the planet, and should be tried for such. Pathetic, indeed, Mord.

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

14. Comment #287909 by AForce1 on November 21, 2008 at 12:29 am

I've said this before on another site.

What is it that Bush has against the environment?

Does he think he hasn't quite achieved the 100% universal hate factor? Because, believe me, he has as far as I'm concerned.

I think he is in severe danger of walking into a McDonalds with a gun & shooting anybody & everybody.

The man is undescribable!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other Comments by AForce1

15. Comment #287910 by mordacious1 on November 21, 2008 at 12:34 am

I heard today that Bush wants to extend unemployment benefits. That sounds self-serving.

Other Comments by mordacious1

16. Comment #287945 by Ian (South Africa) on November 21, 2008 at 3:09 am

This pending legislation only serves to reflect the paucity of ethical and moral values engendered by this administration. Thay have been a blight on the world as well as their own country.

It appears that there is no unethical or amoral depth which they will not sink to with a smirk and a high five to their glad-handers.

Tragically I doubt that they will ever be called to book for their depredations.

With a nod to Irate...Fucktards one and all.

Other Comments by Ian (South Africa)

17. Comment #287954 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 3:21 am

Hey wait! This is one of the things that the Bush Administration has gotten it right. Those EPA laws have been a joke from the beginning and is screwing up America.

This is what Penn & Teller, of Penn & Teller fame think about that load of crap. They even made a documentary out of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PufNFWo9mm0

Obama would be a complete idiot/moron to overturn it.

In your efforts to oppose everything that Bush has done and ever will do, have you ever even consider the consequences of doing so? Do you realise that there is 0% probability of changing such laws when Liberals take office?

The last time I checked, this was an atheist website known for its rationality and based in science, not some Liberal propaganda machine (which is as bad as a conservative propaganda machine but more discrete and, so I guess, more dangerous).

One more thing, the stupid EPA laws are a big cause of our trade deficit. Anyone interested in natural selection will understand that we are getting naturally "unselected" against countries like Russia and China which don't have Liberal idiots opposing everything the Conservative idiots do.

Other Comments by JanChan

18. Comment #287969 by AForce1 on November 21, 2008 at 4:04 am

JanChan: a perfect example of arrested development if ever there was one.

Other Comments by AForce1

19. Comment #287971 by Laurie Fraser on November 21, 2008 at 4:11 am

Comment #287945 by Ian (South Africa)

Perfectly said, my man!

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

20. Comment #287973 by Laurie Fraser on November 21, 2008 at 4:14 am

Comment #287954 by JanChan

Congratulations. You win the medal for "Fuckwit of the Week". Happy?

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

21. Comment #287978 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 4:23 am

Yes, and in all your name calling, did you actually even watch the video? Is your faith in endangered species so strong that absolutely nothing will shake it?

I can proudly say I'm an atheist, and I take absolutely nothing at all on faith. Can You?

Other Comments by JanChan

22. Comment #287980 by irate_atheist on November 21, 2008 at 4:27 am

16. Comment #287945 by Ian (South Africa) -

With a nod to Irate...Fucktards one and all.

*Nods back.*

Other Comments by irate_atheist

23. Comment #287982 by Laurie Fraser on November 21, 2008 at 4:34 am

One more thing, the stupid EPA laws are a big cause of our trade deficit.

Big deal. If you've run your economy for fifty years with scant regard to the environment (as you have), then you don't deserve an economy. Do you seriously believe that the U.S. economy should be immune from its obligations to the environment? Or should it just continue to pump out greenhouse gases on a scale massively exceeding every other nation on the planet? What gives the U.S. the right to fuck up the rest of the world for its own greedy interests?

As regards your silly question "Is your faith in endangered species so strong that absolutely nothing will shake it?" - does this actually need an answer? How can one have "faith" in endangered species? Are you actually asking "do you believe that some species are endangered?" If so, then you need help.

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

24. Comment #287988 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 4:45 am

Well, political spin from a Liberal, who would have thought of that?

No, I am asking if your faith in the environmentalists' program to cure the environment so strong that nothing will shake it. Because if you hadn't noticed already, they have twisted tons of facts for their own advantage. Ozone depletion is a greater threat than Global Warming (so much greater is the threat of ozone depletion that it can only be measured in terms of a logarithm scale) and do anyone give a shit about it nowadays?

If you were too compare environmental damage caused by the US, and not just CO2 emissions, you would find that the US has in fact done more than its fair share to mitigate it, we are after all one of the first to ban CFCs in our chemicals. But no, your liberal propaganda machines keep making us feel bad, like we haven't done enough, like everyone else in the world would do as much as we would. Well, dream on, and realise that in doing so, you are destroying America, literally. From a libertarian standpoint, we are in fact helping the environment so much that we are having our development arrested.

Well, a big hand to all you environment nuts.

Other Comments by JanChan

25. Comment #287989 by Steve Zara on November 21, 2008 at 4:46 am

Comment #287988 by JanChan

Excuse me, people, but I am going to save to say this:

JanChan, you really are a twit.

Other Comments by Steve Zara

26. Comment #287990 by Laurie Fraser on November 21, 2008 at 4:49 am

No, I am asking if your faith in the environmentalists' program to cure the environment so strong that nothing will shake it. Because if you hadn't noticed already, they have twisted tons of facts for their own advantage. Ozone depletion is a greater threat than Global Warming and do anyone give a shit about it nowadays?

Do you have any reliable evidence for these assertions?

P.S. I am definitely not a Liberal.

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

27. Comment #287992 by Laurie Fraser on November 21, 2008 at 4:52 am

JanChan, you really are a twit.

Steady on, Steve - that's a bit strong, from you. Allow me - JanChan is a fuckwit.

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

28. Comment #287995 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 4:56 am

Well a twit or fuckwit I may be, at least I'm not a hypocrite who move away from religion just to join another one.

PS, the ozone layer is the only reason why it's possible for life on land. Go get yourself educated in a biology class, or geology class. In fact any kind of class would probably be good for you. Geez, I thought people here would have some respect for Science, well I should have known better, you only hear what you want to hear.

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29. Comment #287998 by NMcC on November 21, 2008 at 4:59 am

JANCHAN

"...having our development arrested."

I've already done way too much name-calling lately.

So, please, someone else say something here - it's too good an opportunity to miss.

Other Comments by NMcC

30. Comment #288000 by dead Yeti on November 21, 2008 at 5:02 am

Amazing after all these years Bush still has the capacity to ruin any good mood i was in.

Other Comments by dead Yeti

31. Comment #288001 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 5:04 am

You people really don't want to have a showdown based on Science with me, putting it simply, your Science education sucks.

And if you realised, I spell all my 'z' with a 's', well that's because I've got a British education.

And I would repeat this again, endangered species laws are bad Science, bad for Economics, and bad for the people. The only thing it's good at is making good politics. And it seems that you all are buying the load of crap.

Other Comments by JanChan

32. Comment #288002 by Laurie Fraser on November 21, 2008 at 5:05 am

Comment #287995 by JanChan

A religion of what, JanChan? Spell it out. This should be fun. If you're asking me to take a class that will educate me about the ozone layer, then I think atmospheric chemistry might be the one you'd reasonably suggest. Oh, dear - it just so happens that I have extensive education in that very subject. I don't think biology or geology will fit the bill, except to affirm that you have rocks in your head.

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

33. Comment #288003 by AForce1 on November 21, 2008 at 5:06 am

The EPA is responsible for the trade deficit!?

So, JanChan is in favour of exporting the environment & endangered species. Well, HandWank, it's going to take an awful lot of squirrels to make up the US Treasury's shortfall.
Silly me, I thought it was reckless speculation & profligate spending that caused the current financial crisis. If I had only known that it was the EPA.
But I now I get it, this is all a joke. Nobody could be as stupid as you try to make out.
Did you know, BanChan, that it's better to be thought a dumb idiot that open your mouth & confirm everyone's thoughts.
I would call you a crud but that would be insulting cruds.

Other Comments by AForce1

34. Comment #288004 by Hellene on November 21, 2008 at 5:08 am

Jan Chan,

While it is true that the EPA has been corrupted to a degree, what would one replace it with? Nothing? You don't think that extinction of any species diminishes our well being? President Bush wants to give control to whichever agency is going to alter the environment for development. You don't really expect that they will act in anything other than self interest?

And by the by Penn and Teller really went of the map on that Youtube video. A total frame job. They took the extremes and presented them as average. Very disappointing.

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35. Comment #288005 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 5:08 am

I'm asking you to take a class on the consequences of the ozone layer you FUCKTARD.

Which you probably know a shitload about since you think that greenhouse gas is more important than ozone.

Stop giving me your stupid political spin, you very well know what I'm talking about.

Other Comments by JanChan

36. Comment #288006 by Titania on November 21, 2008 at 5:09 am

24. Comment #287988 by JanChan

Another DP. This should be interesting.

I find it amusing when politically conservative atheists use the same derogatory (derogatory in their own minds) terms theists use about atheists to describe the positions of those with whom they disagree, words such as liberal or faith or fundamentalist or religious.

I also find it amusing when the sources cited are comedians and The Conservative Enterprise Institute. Profit and development at the expense of people and the environment are their gods. Pretty soon the high priestess Ayn Rand will be invoked.

Edited for clarity which probably didn't work. Oh well.

Other Comments by Titania

37. Comment #288007 by Titania on November 21, 2008 at 5:14 am

JanChan,

Please cite scientific sources that support your contention that the extinction of species is a good thing (or that humans are not responsible for modern extinctions and bear no responsibility for preventing extinctions if possible) and that no political effort should be made to prevent extinction of species.

Edited.

Other Comments by Titania

38. Comment #288008 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 5:15 am

Now, you see there's political spin in action again. Stop spinning what I'm saying, I'm sick of it, both from conservatives and liberals.

Did I say that extinction of species is a good thing? No. All I said is that scientifically ozone depletion is of much more concern to us than global warming is. And you can learn that from any GOOD Biology/Geography class.

Other Comments by JanChan

39. Comment #288009 by Hellene on November 21, 2008 at 5:15 am

35. Comment #288005 by JanChan

"I'm asking you to take a class on the consequences of the ozone layer you FUCKTARD."

Other Comments by Hellene

40. Comment #288010 by Hellene on November 21, 2008 at 5:18 am

38. Comment #288008 by JanChan

Please see comment #34. I have neither called you a "name" or gone off the map.

Other Comments by Hellene

41. Comment #288011 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 5:21 am

These last 2 comments didn't even make sense, do you people actually respect Science, or is Science just some tool you use to get your way in politics.

I, like Dawkins, care about the truth.

Other Comments by JanChan

42. Comment #288012 by Hellene on November 21, 2008 at 5:21 am

38. Comment #288008 by JanChan

"And you can learn that from any GOOD Biology/Geography class."

Your kidding us right? I'll pass it on to all the highly uneducated illiterate people on this website.

Other Comments by Hellene

43. Comment #288013 by decius on November 21, 2008 at 5:22 am

From a libertarian standpoint,

Who the fuck cares about your idiotic ideology?

Make a point based on reason and science or join a political forum.

Other Comments by decius

44. Comment #288014 by AForce1 on November 21, 2008 at 5:22 am

Well done JanChan, FlamBang.

"You've got (present tense@!) a British education"!?!

If so,you need to improve your written English. I have Polish students who could do better.

We say "I H-A-D A B-R-I-T-I-S-H E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N".

Now again, but slower.

Also, dickhead, don't brag about having a British eduction. The British education system is one of the lowest rated in Europe: as you have so amply proved.

Other Comments by AForce1

45. Comment #288015 by Laurie Fraser on November 21, 2008 at 5:22 am

Titania - please! I've been trying to rid my mind of the egregious Ayn Rand all week, after Bookclub decided to review some of her turgid, horrible work. Anyway - back to the problem at hand: the somewhat mystifying confusion of one JanChan.

I'm asking you to take a class on the consequences of the ozone layer you FUCKTARD.
Which you probably know a shitload about since you think that greenhouse gas is more important than ozone.

Is it impertinent of me to ask where I have ever said that ozone is unimportant, or not as important as "greenhouse gas"?

JanChan - is it beyond your little brain to consider that global warming is a phenomenon with a host of contributing factors? Why on earth wouldn't one be worried by the depletion of the ozone layer, when we know so much about its protective qualities? But what has that got to do with our concerns about the emission of CO2 and other greenhouse gases? The answer, of course, is that both these phenomena are cause for grave concern. I am at a loss to discern the intent of your debate - probably because you don't understand what you're talking about. But go ahead; as I said, this could be fun.

Other Comments by Laurie Fraser

46. Comment #288016 by Quetzalcoatl on November 21, 2008 at 5:22 am

JanChan-

I, like Dawkins, care about the truth.

Strangely, I think you'll find that you and Richard Dawkins are not the only two people around who are interested in truth. Most of us are, too.

Other Comments by Quetzalcoatl

47. Comment #288017 by Titania on November 21, 2008 at 5:24 am

38. Comment #288008 by JanChan

Come now, that is not all you said.

I edited my post to add that you contend that we should not take political action to prevent the extinction of species. Please respond to that and back up your claim.

You didn't start out talking about global warming or ozone depletion. You were talking about why the EPA is a bad thing.

You sound like those logically impaired people who say that prevention of animal cruelty laws are not necessary because people should be more worried about murdered two year old humans. No one said that the depletion of the ozone layer is not a problem.

Other Comments by Titania

48. Comment #288018 by Hellene on November 21, 2008 at 5:28 am

Jan Chan,

A coherent reply to post #34 perhaps?

Other Comments by Hellene

49. Comment #288019 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 5:28 am

As I repeat again, ozone depletion is magnitudes of times greater in importance than global warming for the survival of life on land. ANY life on land.

And that's not the only thing that environmentalists lie to the public about, they lie to them about statistic, lie about consequences, lie about the end of the world. In fact they lie about everything. Twisting facts and what's not.

By siding against Bush in this argument, you have apparently shown yourself stupid enough, or as Dawkins puts it, credulous enough, to buy all their freaking damn lies.

Other Comments by JanChan

50. Comment #288020 by JanChan on November 21, 2008 at 5:30 am

And if you're wondering what my qualifications are, I'm an undergraduate studying Biology and Physics.

Other Comments by JanChan

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