ISSUE: Endangered Species Act

OUR VIEW: Legislation remains vital in protecting nation’s natural resources

The exceptions leave people shaking their heads. Remember the snail darter?

The controversy involved the delay of the construction of the Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River in 1973. A University of Tennessee biologist discovered the endangered snail darter, a small fish, in the Little Tennessee River while doing research related to a lawsuit involving the National Environmental Policy Act. The lawsuit stated that the Tellico Reservoir, to be created by Tellico Dam, would alter the habitat of the river to the point of wiping out the snail darter. The lawsuit slowed the construction of the dam but did not stop it.

Despite such controversies, it is undeniable the Endangered Species Act is one of the most important environmental laws in history. It is credited with saving 99.9 percent of species protected by the act from extinction.

On Friday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service honored Endangered Species Day and the numerous nationwide conservation programs aimed at protecting America’s threatened and endangered species.

When Congress passed the ESA in 1973, it formally established that the country’s rich natural heritage is of “esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our Nation and its people.” It also expressed concern that many of the nation’s native fish, wildlife and plants were in danger of becoming extinct.

The bald eagle, grizzly bear, American alligator and gray wolf are all species which once found themselves on the list, facing the brink of extinction. They have successfully rebounded. The wood stork, Kirtland’s warbler, Louisiana black bear and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle are listed species that are showing good progress toward achieving recovery – the ultimate goal of the ESA. These recovered and recovering species are just a few examples of those benefiting from the protections afforded by the ESA and the people who work to ensure their continued existence.

There are currently 1,317 species listed in the United States: 746 plants and 571 animals. In the Southeast, there are over 320 endangered and threatened animals and plants.

Americans can be proud of the continuing effort to preserve plants and animals. The work by the Fish and Wildlife Service and its partners remains important as today’s people preserve the legacy of this land for future generations. Every American should be a partner.

As Acting Fish and Wildlife Service Director Rowan Gould says, “The Endangered Species Act is the nation’s premier law protecting biodiversity today. Without this law, we would probably not see bald eagles soaring in our skies or grizzlies in Yellowstone. (We) look forward to a strengthened partnership with the American public to conserve our natural treasures of fish, wildlife, and plants.”

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