By Jim Tankersley
As I reported exclusively in the Los Angeles Times this morning, President Obama is set to instruct federal agencies to once again consult with endangered-species experts before moving ahead with construction projects, overruling a last-minute rule change by the Bush administration.
Obama will issue the decision in a presidential memorandum, effectively bypassing the lengthy public comment process traditionally required for changing a rule. Business groups are protesting, saying the change will hamper critical road-building and other projects needed to jump-start the economy.
"It's almost certainly going to slow down all of these projects, even the stimulus-backed projects," said Ross Eisenberg, an environment and energy counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "What we're getting is more red tape."
Environmentalists call it a victory for threatened plants and wildlife. "This is very good news for endangered species," said Andrew Wetzler, endangered species program director for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "The regulations that President Bush issued were clearly illegal, and they were bad policy to boot."
Bush's rule change, finalized in December, allowed federal agencies to determine on their own if projects would jeopardize endangered species, instead of consulting with expert biologists as previously required. It also gave agencies the option, if they so chose, of calling on the experts from the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Obama's memo will direct the agencies to exercise that option in every instance, until the Interior and Commerce departments can reconsider the Bush rule change. It does not explicitly overturn the Bush rule. Lobbying groups are debating the memo's legality.
Photo of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal (AP Photo/Jim Collins)
Comments
Another job-destroying dagger from Obama.
The DOW at 5000--"Yes We Can!"
Posted by: Change You can Believe In | March 3, 2009 12:19 PM
Yes You CAN believe in this change, pal. If the construction project is about rebuilding---how could protecting a species be a problem.
Posted by: get over it already | March 3, 2009 12:27 PM
They only object to the type of job it creates. A job for something they don't like is still a job.
Posted by: bill r. | March 3, 2009 12:33 PM
Dow at 5000 in the mind of Change. In real life it is 6700. How was the acutely keen market in October 2007? 2 months before the official recession?
Posted by: bill r. | March 3, 2009 12:57 PM
Go Obama!
You may not see the immediate effect of his decision, but considering our limited resources, alternatives to the previously utilized highly destructive methods should and must be sought!
Posted by: Bea | March 4, 2009 1:42 AM
For those who cry about the economy every time something is done or attempted to save the environment, I ask: What is the economic potential of a dead or dying planet that no longer supports human life?
Oh, sure, for a short time, the wars waged over the remaining viable resources will bring riches to the few who normally profit over such things. But for the masses... ? For the long term... ?
Posted by: Brian Kessler | March 4, 2009 1:54 AM
lovely
Posted by: yetboy | March 4, 2009 4:42 AM
and for those who have no stake in the tumultous manipulative corporate market...who gives a s...
Who started this whole mess?
Posted by: Barbara Ann Snowberger | March 4, 2009 7:02 AM
Why is there a picture of a seal in this article? When will Americans get it through their thick skulls that seals are not endangered?
Posted by: Colin Gourlay | March 4, 2009 8:43 AM
Not all seals are the same, Colin. Some are endangered, like the Hawaiian monk seal in the photo. http://www.pinnipeds.org/species/hawaimnk.htm
Posted by: Frank James | March 4, 2009 8:53 AM
Go Obama!
You may not see the immediate effect of his decision, but considering our limited resources, alternatives to the previously utilized highly destructive methods should and must be sought!!
Posted by: roookie | March 4, 2009 9:41 AM
How can anyone claim this is "more red tape" or will "slow the process" when this simply overrides a Bush rule change FROM DECEMBER!!!! This is (thankfully) reverting the system back to the way it's been. There hasn't even been enough time for the Bush change to effect any construction projects... so in reality this is a "change" that keeps things as they have been (keeping endangered species protected). There is nothing to argue about on this one. Read with your minds open.
Posted by: Nathan | March 4, 2009 10:56 AM
Great news! The people opposed to environmental regulation have been skewing the debate for so long. It's such nonsense to make this about the economy. Makes sense if you're playing cynical politics, but it's total crap. If they can't figure out how to build a road and protect species then they shouldn't be in the job. I would think it would create more technical jobs in any case.
Posted by: Jeremy | March 4, 2009 1:27 PM
I'm all for change, and better infrastructure, and all that jazz... BUT... when it comes to endangered species and the environment, I'd have to prioritize those. We can construct better roads later... let's save the poor creatures first. After all, the planet has survived without roads and technology before, right? ;)
Posted by: Imee | March 9, 2009 7:14 AM
Great news!
Thanks +1 )
Posted by: Jackson | September 12, 2009 2:33 PM