There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though
everything is a miracle.
-Albert Einstein
Smart man, that Albert Einstein.
I’ve used this quote before, as it is a favorite of mine; however, that was back when the only person reading was my sister-in-law (hi, Molly) and I don’t think she’ll mind hearing it again.
I have something else I want to repeat. A gentle reminder. With some urgency behind it.
With all the bluster and storm going on in the political world, the fact that the Bush administration is quietly attempting to restructure the Endangered Species Act to the point of impotence is going completely unnoticed.
Under the proposed new rules, agencies championing new projects or expansions would themselves determine if environmental consultations are necessary.
Their goal is to allow proposed projects to proceed even if such projects would kill off endangered species or place them or their habitats in jeopardy.
In the past, a federal agency that proposed a project had to defend the notion that its project would do no harm to listed species. If the rules are changed, it will merely have to assert that it will do no harm.
If, in fact, an ecosystem or critical species is negatively impacted by the project, it then falls upon environmental agencies to show direct causation.
In essence, this represents a tremendous shift in priorities and responsibility. No longer does a company have to fully research and prove that their activities will not have a negative impact on the environment. It only has to cross its fingers and say that it will not. The burden of proof falls elsewhere.
They can build where they please and deal with the fallout later- after the harm has been done. If direct causation can be proven.
We have until September 15th to have our say. This article has much more detail on the existing Endangered Species Act and the proposed changes, and outlines how you can leave a comment online. (It also provided the quotes above.)
To be honest, I don’t know how much public comments count. I’ve already written letters, and I don’t honestly know how much that counts either.
But I feel like I have to do something. I need to take part and assert my voice. If the many add their voices as well, can that collective call be ignored? I hope not. I seriously hope that public opinion still means something in this country.
Of the people. By the people. For the people. We the people. Remember?
