I am writing to express support for a strong Endangered Species Act and to oppose any changes to the consultation regulations that would reduce consultation, narrow the circumstances under which consultation occurs, or creates exemptions for greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants. The requirement that federal agencies consult with scientific experts in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Services to ensure that their actions don't jeopardize endangered species or adversely modify their habitat is critical to the survival and recovery of endangered species. As such, I oppose any regulations that weaken or relax the standards by which federal agencies carry out their duty to consult. In particular, I oppose any changes to the regulations that would allow federal agencies to evade consultation through self-consultation; that limit the scope of consultation by excluding off-site effects, such as emission of pollutants into the atmosphere; or that limit consideration of cumulative effects. It is my belief that the existing regulations, when properly implemented, do an adequate job of protecting endangered species and thus I would be satisfied if no new regulations were proposed. Thank you for considering these comments.
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27584
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