WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- An Aug. 2 press release incorrectly referred to a section of the House-passed energy bill as allowing oil and gas drilling on federal Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands with no environmental protection constraints stronger than those provided by applicable state laws. After the release went out, we were delighted to learn that an amendment adopted by the House included a provision preserving federal authority, removing the implicit waiver of federal environmental laws.
Although pleased by this small victory for the ESA, the Endangered Species Coalition remains opposed to the House-passed bill (HR 4), because it still allows for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to energy development, and provides many incentives for increased fossil fuel use at the same time that climate change and global warming are almost universally recognized by the scientific community as a major threat to the world's biodiversity.
An Aug. 2 press release, critical of Interior Secretary Norton's decision to release water from Upper Klamath Lake (Ore.) into an irrigation canal, contained confusing language, which implied that the Secretary was allowing a national wildlife refuge to dry up in violation of a nondiscretionary federal scientists' biological opinion. This opinion held that any water in Upper Klamath Lake in 'excess' of what was needed by endangered and threatened fish in that lake must be allocated to meet the needs of the threatened eagle and migratory bird populations in the Basin's national wildlife refuges. The release further stated that the release of water would not help local farmers.
There are three biological opinions addressing the needs of four different endangered and threatened species in the Klamath Basin. Two of the species in trouble are threatened with extinction if water levels get too low. The release should have made it clear that, while the continuing drought makes the situation perilous for human and animal users alike, no refuge has yet been 'de-watered.'
Some farmers will receive more water, enabling them to water livestock pastures and hay fields.
The Endangered Species Coalition, comprised of more than 440 environmental, religious, scientific, sporting, and business organizations, works to defend and strengthen the Endangered Species Act, as well as to improve biodiversity protections in the United States. For more information, please visit www.stopextinction.org.
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CONTACT: Endangered Species Coalition, Washington
Brock Evans, Executive Director
(202) 772-3232
www.stopextinction.org