FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2006

CONTACT: Phaedra Booth, 916-313-5800 x 111
Andrew Adams, 310-562-5017

 

 Responding to Federal Threats Los Angeles Supports Endangered Species Act  

Los Angeles, CA– Today, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the Endangered Species Act. Stating that “Los Angeles has long been a city with respect for its natural surroundings, and reliant on them both for lifestyle and economics benefits,” the resolution recognizes the tourism and natural benefits the Endangered Species Act bestows upon the city, in addition to the benefits to “our children and future generations.”

“The Endangered Species Act is one of our most effective laws on the books. Only 9 of the 1800 species listed under the Act have been declared extinct, which is a great success rate” said Kim Delfino, Director of Defenders of Wildlife’s California Program office. “Those attempting to gut the Act are turning their back on our nation’s strong conservation history. The residents of Los Angeles can thank their city council for their foresight and dedication to protecting our nation’s endangered plants and animals.”

Recognizing that for m ore than 30 years the Endangered Species Act has been successful in preventing the extinction of many magnificent creatures, including bald eagles, grizzly bears, sea otters, and California condors the city of Los Angeles stated a wish to continue this grand tradition, while being concerned by recent efforts in Congress to dismantle the bill.

A bill recently introduced by Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) would decimate the law’s ability to protect and conserve habitat needed f or the recovery of threatened or endangered plants and animals. Rep. Pombo’s bill, H.R. 3824, is a series of loopholes that encourage oil companies, large-scale developers, mining c orp orations, and even the federal government to dodge their responsibility and engage in reckless, po orly-planned projects that harm our nation’s land and wildlife. The bill would: cut wildlife experts out of the loop when determining whether new projects would harm endangered animals and plants; set a dangerous precedent by requiring taxpayers to pay developers not to kill or injure endangered species; and would exempt all pesticide decisions from compliance with the Endangered Species Act f or at least the next five years.

“The greatest symbol of the Act’s success is the bald eagle which was on the brink of extinction when the Act was passed. Habitat destruction, trophy hunting and pesticides had left the country with only a few hundred nesting pairs. Today there are over 6,000 pairs” said Bill Rosendahl, the city council member who introduced the resolution.

The Endangered Species Act is one of this country’s most enduring conservation legacies and biggest success stories. Today the city of Los Angeles encourages the US Senate to ensure a healthy environment and strong protection f or imperiled plants and wildlife by stopping any efforts, such as Rep. Pombo’s, that would destroy the Endangered Species Act.

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