GOP Looks To Gut Endangered Species Act To Rape Our National Forests (VIDEO)


With the incoming Trump presidency and Republicans in control of Congress, the GOP is already discussing plans to slash parts of the Endangered Species Act.

The Endangered Species Act is one of the nation’s most powerful conservation tools. Overall, it protects more than 1,600 plant and animals species. However, some politicians have been complaining that it hinders drilling, logging, and fracking efforts in many of our country’s protected areas.

Republicans Against ESA

In the last eight years, Republican lawmakers have sponsored dozens of measures with the intent to hobble the law or release certain species from its protection. Luckily, almost all efforts were blocked by Democrats and the White House. Lawsuits from environmentalists have also helped keep the law in place.

Critics say the law allows for massive delays in litigation. This gives species federal protection long after government biologists conclude that they have recovered. Current reforms being proposed by Republicans would place limits on lawsuits being used to maintain protection for some species. Furthermore, they would put a cap on how many species can be protected and give states more of a voice in the process.

J.B. Ruhl, a Vanderbilt University law professor considered a leading expert on the act, is concerned about the implications of these reforms. He believes that Republicans may only have to strike a few key words from the law. In doing so, it could be changed from protecting huge areas of habitat for endangered species into just laws putting limits on hunting protected animals.

Beyond Protecting Species

Ultimately, the consequences of these reforms would go far beyond the threat of endangered species becoming extinct. It seems that the main motivation behind these changes is the economic benefit of using protected land for exploiting natural resources. Opening up these areas to oil and gas drilling would be detrimental on a much greater level. Once these lands lose their federal protection, they can be ravaged in the name of economic development. Groundwater contamination, habitat destruction, and fracking-caused earthquakes are just a few of the consequences of increased drilling and fracking.

Jamie Rappaport Clark, the president of Defenders of Wildlife and a former fish and Wildlife Service director under President Bill Clinton, says:

“The political lineup is as unfavorable to the Endangered Species Act as I can remember.”

President-elect Donald Trump has already expressed frustration at environmental policies that limit oil and gas drilling. He has also been a strong proponent of domestic energy development. Unfortunately, neither of these two things are a good sign for the future of the Endangered Species Act. Let’s hope he gets too tangled up in his own scandals and Twitter wars to actually focus on repealing portions of this important law.

Watch the video below for more information on the Endangered Species Act

Featured image credit: William H. Majoros via Wikimedia Commons/cc-2.0

Currently a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Has experience in diabetes and cancer research, as well as a background in marine biology. Writes science and health blogs on his website at http://dochogblog.weebly.com/blog