Number: 1982-22
WHEREAS, several recent public opinion polls, including one of the National Wildlife Federation’s members, demonstrate strong public support for endangered species; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation first demonstrated its support for endangered species more than 26 years ago by selecting the 1956 Wildlife Week theme as “Save Endangered Species”; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation has adopted 14 resolutions, litigated numerous lawsuits, developed extensive educational materials, and established the Institute for Wildlife Research in order to protect and conserve endangered species; and
WHEREAS, ten percent of the world’s species may now be endangered and in need of protection, with an estimated loss of one species per day; and
WHEREAS, the rate at which endangered species are lost continues to accelerate as a result of habitat destruction, poor land management, introduction of non-native species, environmental contamination, and commercial exploitation and exceptions for American Indians and native peoples; and
WHEREAS, the extinction of a species represents an irreplaceable loss of genetic material; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Interior has cut the budget of the Office of Endangered Species by more than 20%, has completely eliminated state cooperative grants, has not proposed a single new species listing in the last year, and has proposed that species listings be based on their taxonomic position; and
WHEREAS, the Department of the Interior has unnecessarily delayed new listings and has issued opinions that significantly reduce protection afforded to plants and animals under the Endangered Species Act, including the redefinition of “harm,” consideration of the cumulative impacts of projects, and exemption of federal actions in foreign countries; and
WHEREAS, the Endangered Species Act is the essential piece of federal legislation that provides for the protection and conservation of threatened and endangered species; and
WHEREAS, Congress must reauthorize the Endangered Species Act by September 30, 1982; and
WHEREAS, the Endangered Species Act is under heavy attack by industry that has proposed a number of amendments that would seriously erode the Act; and
WHEREAS, the protection of all species threatened with extinction requires both the reauthorization and implementation of a strong and effective Endangered Species Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 18-21, 1982, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hereby urges the current Administration to effectively implement and enforce the Endangered Species Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports reauthorization of a strong Endangered Species Act, consistent with the following objectives:
- The Act must continue to protect all animals and plants that are threatened or endangered for any reason by providing an efficient means of listing based on the best available scientific and commercial data, by prohibiting federally-approved or undertaken actions that might jeopardize listed species, and by prohibiting all activities that would result in a taking of any listed species, except as provided in Section 10.
- The Act must continue to provide for international cooperation in the conservation of endangered and threatened species, as currently provided in Section 8, as well as for the implementation of international conservation agreements, with the exception of the bobcat currently listed in the CITES treaty and that it be removed as requested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- The Act must continue to authorize the acquisition of habitat for threatened and endangered species.
- The Act must continue to require all federal agencies to carry out programs for the conservation of listed species, using all measures necessary to bring these species to the point at which the protection of the Act is no longer needed.
- The procedures and requirements of Section 7 relating to federal agency actions must be retained or strengthened. Biological opinions must continue to be the responsibility of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service and must be based strictly on biological considerations. Exceptions to the requirements of Section 7 should be granted only if there has been a good faith effort, through consultation, to avoid endangered species conflicts in actions for which there is clearly demonstrated regional or national economic necessity and the absence of reasonable alternatives, and provided that measures to mitigate the effects of such actions are required to be undertaken.
- The opportunity for meaningful public participation in the implementation of the Act through petitions for the listing of particular species and the initiation of citizen lawsuits must be preserved.
- The Act must be adequately funded to ensure that its purposes are effectively carried out and that it is rigorously enforced. This includes funding grants-in-aid to states for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and recognizing the right of states to enact and enforce laws more restrictive than the Act itself.
- The criminal penalty provisions of the Act must be strengthened to make them comparable to those of the Lacey Act, as amended in November, 1981.
- In general, the Act must be reauthorized and strengthened as much as possible.