WASHINGTON, DC, August 21, 2008 (ENS) – Saying the Bush administration’s most recent Endangered Species Act rulemaking is “anti-democratic,” 104 conservation and scientific organizations today submitted a letter to Cabinet officials calling for increased transparency and opportunities for public participation.

The new rule published in the Federal Register last week would change the way the Endangered Species Act is administered concerning both land and marine species.

The groups say the rule would “radically weaken” the Endangered Species Act yet only 30 days have been allowed for public comment and the public comment process has been restricted in other ways as well.

Their letter to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez requests an extension of the comment period to 120 days.

The groups say a longer comment period would allow the public adequate time “to address the breadth and depth that these changes to the Endangered Species Act regulations will have on protecting our most imperiled wildlife.”

The rule would, for the first time, give federal agencies the authority to decide without expert consultation whether their activities such as logging, mining or roadbuilding could harm endangered and threatened species. It also would prohibit consideration of the impacts of global warming on wildlife.

The rule states, “These regulations would reinforce the Services’ current view that there is no requirement to consult on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions’ contribution to global warming and its associated impacts on listed species (e.g., polar bears).”

Polar bears depend on sea ice as a platform
for hunting seals, their main food source.
(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Earlier this year, Secretary Kempthorne added the polar bear to the federal endangered species list, classifying it as Threatened. But he qualified the listing with a requirement that it cannot be used to limit greenhouse gas emissions although it is the warming climate that is destroying the sea ice needed for polar bear survival.

Administration officials maintain the proposed rule is a minor change that would make the law easier to implement, but the conservation groups say the rule is a fundamental change in the law.

“Rather than a narrow tweaking of the regulations, the proposal represents a back-door attack on the Endangered Species Act,” said Leda Huta, director of the Endangered Species Coalition, a national network of hundreds of conservation, scientific, sporting, religious, humane, business and community groups.

“The American people deserve and expect a full public process to vet such far-reaching changes to this landmark conservation law,” Huta said.

The administration is refusing to accept e-mail comments or hold public hearings on the proposed rule.

Instead, comments will be accepted by postal mail, or through a government website that warns reviewers their personal information will be posted on the Internet for public dissemination.

“It appears as if the administration is doing whatever it can to discourage participation in the democratic process,” said John Kostyack, of the National Wildlife Federation. “I think we can expect more sneaky assaults like this on our public land and wildlife laws as this administration heads for the exits.”

The proposed regulatory changes were published on August 15, while Congress was out for recess and many Americans were enjoying the summer holiday.

The groups warn that the abbreviated timeline and restrictive commenting options raise serious concerns that the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce is attempting to rewrite a bedrock environmental statute without allowing for adequate public involvement.

Sean Cosgrove with the Conservation Law Foundation said today, “For one of our nation’s most important and successful environmental laws, the 30 day comment period is woefully inadequate for the public to review and comment on this critical proposal.”

“The Bush administration proposal eliminates the critical checks and balances needed to protect imperiled birds and cuts species experts from the process of making decisions that need to be science-based,” said Mike Daulton, with National Audubon Society, a bird conservation organization.

“The Endangered Species Act is a safety net for our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants on the brink of extinction, said Bill Snape of the Center for Biological Diversity. “The Bush administration’s proposed regulations will cut a giant loophole in the safety net.”

Susan Holmes of Earthjustice, a nonprofit public interest law firm, said, “Animals on the brink of extinction need consideration and protection guided by the best experts in the federal government – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service biologists.”

View This Story On Eco–mmunity Map.

In a previous Greenzine special, we featured one of the organizations dedicated to pursuing green issues and products. The organization is called Pure Habitat NYC [www.purehabitatnyc.com]. This is a fabulous company that serves its’ clients by doing a “green” spring cleaning of a home’s environment and then by providing expert consultation on green lifestyle.

We conducted an interview with Cory Tixier of Pure Habitat and here is a text version of her answers. Here is the whole interview, we hope you enjoy.

Question #1: What is Pure Habitat and why was it created?

Pure Habitat provides two services which, offer urban dwellers a new beginning in pure living. We believe education is the foundation of commitment, and we are committed to educating our clients.

Our services:

Service #1: Green living

This consulting service is highly beneficial to anyone interested in learning and achieving a greener standard of living. The experience will change the way you think, live and feel–all for the better.

We realize that being green is not as easy as we would like it to be. Unfortunately we are creatures of habit. Our goal is to help you change your habits to more earth friendly ones; we will help you understand what makes things “green” and how to make the switch.

Green living consulting covers a wide rage of topics, some you may not have considered. From things as simple as recycling to the total renovation of your space.

Service #2: Green Cleaning

With the help of eco friendly products and our unique approach to cleaning we will care for your space as if it were our own. Your home will be cleaned with safe aroma therapeutic cleaners, leaving it rejuvenated and free of harmful chemicals. In every step of our cleaning process we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment, making us think twice about what happens to every plastic bag we use, every bucket we fill, even the transportation we utilize. This service promotes a green lifestyle, leaving clients with weekly eco information. We may not leave chocolets on your pillow but we will leaving valuable information including samples of products, plants that help clean the air and current Environmental news.

Pure Habitat was created out of necessity. A necessity to change the way we behave in relation to our environment. We believe humankind has had a profoundly negative impact on the environment through excess, neglect and indifference. It is time for us to redefine our place in the natural order of our planet so that all things can live in peace and harmony. We are witnessing a critical moment in the history of our earth. Its future cannot be left in the hands of those in power that are most guilty of excess and neglect.

Question #2: What was it like to work with the Sundance Channel on the green bags that were handed out at the Green Launch Party?

The whole thing was very exciting. Of course there were a few hang-ups on our end; which no one seemed to have a problem with. Everyone at Sundance here in the city and Utah were very understanding and more than willing to help. I would love the opportunity to work with Sundance Green on future “green” projects!

Question #3: Which part(s) of the environmental movement is Pure Habitat most interested in advocating or advancing?

There are many many areas that one could focus on in regards to our environment. However I think I am most interested in the human/nature relationship. I want to be able to reconnect people with the earth and with that comes an understanding and empathy for our ecosystem. With education and communication we learn to understand where we fit and our responsibility as stewards of this planet

Question #4: In what ways do you see the internet as a facilitator of the environmental movement?

From my experience the Internet allows for easy communication with large amounts of people, which I believe to be very critical in any movement. Information should always be free and easily accessible for everyone. The Internet allows people all over the world to share ideas. More importantly it connects like-minded people. Building communities, weather on line or not its human relations, which are desperately needed. It’s actually to good to be true. I am sure the government will step in soon, its too private.

Question #5: How do you think your organization could benefit from being a part of the upcoming Eco-mmunity map soon to be launched at the Sundance Channel?

We have been working with New Yorkers for just over two years now. Our client relations as well as our vendor relations, and an over all understanding of everything green, has grown and continues to grow considerably. We want to become a significant resource to urban dwellers and being on the Eco-mmunity map would allow us to be more accessible to those in need. The more questions are asked the better teachers we become.