Law & Order: Species Victims Unit

Green group files lawsuit to protect 681 species

Posted at 6:00 AM on 25 Mar 2008

Environmentalists filed suit last week against the U.S. Interior Department, seeking to force the agency to review and issue findings on the status of 681 species vulnerable to extinction. WildEarth Guardians, which filed the suit, contends that the Bush administration has deliberately stalled Endangered Species Act listing decisions to appease developers and other interests; the group wants to compel the agency to tackle its species-listing backlog. A recent Washington Post investigation shows just how much Interior has been stalling on the species front. Over the past seven years, the Bush administration has listed only 59 species total under the ESA; in contrast, Clinton listed an average of 62 each year, and Bush's father listed about 58 each year. More important, the Bush administration has made it much more difficult for imperiled species to get protection in the first place. At various times, it's disregarded scientific advisers, narrowed a species' protected range to areas where it is currently found instead of its historic range, and barred the use of information from agency files to support new listings, among other tactics.

sources: Associated Press, The Guardian, The Washington Post

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Comments: (8 comments)

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Sixth Great Extinction

We are now in the midst of the Sixth Great Extinction since life as we know it began on Earth. Unlike the previous five, the current one is being caused by humans, specifically by overconsumption and overpopulation. This issue does not get anywhere near the media attention it deserves, and the vast majority of people are unaware of it.

by Wolverine at 12:41 PM on 25 Mar 2008

Which were the other five?

I suppose the one 65 million years ago is one.

If I share initials with 'Global Warming', is that a sign?

by tico89 at 1:44 PM on 25 Mar 2008

mass extinction events

Yes, the one at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary is one of the Big Five, and directly the most important for the evolution of mammals, including human beings. But the one at the end of the Permian, a bit more than 250 million years ago, was the biggest:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_event.

As for WildEarth Guardians, good for them! But it is hard to be hopeful that their suit will accomplish anything good.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 2:11 PM on 25 Mar 2008

It's good...

...but it'd be better if it had even mout clout then just the WildEarth Guardians alone. Wonder why Greenpeace, defenders of Wildlife, the Center for Biological Diversity or the NRDC aren't pickin' up on this?

Maybe they think it's more effective to wear 'em down by issuing challenges on a species-by-species basis, rather than as a group?

by Tasermons Partner at 5:07 PM on 25 Mar 2008

Likely Outcome Of Lawsuit

If WildEarth wins, which is likely, all that happens is that the court tells the government to make a decision by a certain date. If the government fails to issue the decision on the date ordered, WildEarth can move the court for an order to show cause why the named government officials should not be held in contempt, but it's highly unlikely that a judge would have the guts to do that.

So, in answer to Tasermon's question, the other groups likely thought that while great publicity for one of the great issues of our time, this suit isn't likely to be very effective in actually saving anything.

by Wolverine at 8:49 PM on 25 Mar 2008

Accountability

I'm sorry if I sound freakin' naive, but how come nobody in a real position of power in this country is never held accountable for screwing over the rest of us?

Scooter Libby gets pardoned.

Julie MacDonald and Gale Norton skate off to cushy jobs in industry.

Dick Cheney, who should have been impeached years ago, and who should now, by all rights, be rotting away in a jail somewhere for war crimes ... is still our vice president!! And is busily trying to foment a new war against Iran!!

I really don't get it any more. The Republican swine who railed against immorality and preached personal 'accountability' have given us a corrupt and inept cabal who seem to be beyond any accountability whatsoever.

Wake me when the revolution begins. I am eager to get Cheney and Norton busy cleaning my toilets.

by GonzoDon at 9:07 PM on 25 Mar 2008

Accountability

GonzoDon,
THe revolution needs leaders! Get out there buddy!

by carrieschneider at 6:45 AM on 26 Mar 2008
[ Parent ]

Careful What You Wish For

A revolution in the U.S. would come from the right. These people couldn't care less about the environment, ecosystems, other species, or life in general (except for life they approve).

Don and Carrie are right that we need a revolution, but getting the one we need in the U.S. is so unlikely right now that it's not worth considering. It's nice to dream, though.

by Wolverine at 12:06 PM on 26 Mar 2008

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