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Bill would adversely affect endangered species

Did you know that since the Endangered Species Act was passed, 98 percent of species listed as endangered have survived? Without it, we wouldn’t have bald eagles today — but they were listed as endangered for 40 years. Humpback whales needed Endangered Species Act protections for 36 years, and peregrine falcons for 29 years.

Nature doesn’t follow political deadlines, and that’s why Senate Bill 935 and House Resolution 2134 are so dangerous. These bills would take every single animal off the Endangered Species list after just five years. Even worse, the proposed law blocks any review by the courts.

The proposed legislation would take every single animal off the Endangered Species list after five years, unless Congress voted to put them back on. Protections for any newly endangered animals would require Congressional approval, turning each decision into a political football.

Even worse, the proposed law blocks any review by the courts, and state governors would get to unilaterally decide whether endangered species would even be protected within their borders. Right now, more than 1,000 endangered species are only found in one state — meaning a single person would be able to decide if they go extinct or not.

Mary O’Neill

Presque Isle

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