LANCE JOINS NJ ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO OPPOSE HARMFUL CHANGES TO ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

 For Immediate Release: August 27, 2008

Contact: Amanda Woloshen, 908-267-1613

LEONARD LANCE JOINS NJ ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO OPPOSE HARMFUL CHANGES TO ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

-- Lance Calls On President Bush to Withdraw Controversial Changes --

 Calling the Endangered Species Act a "conservative idea that has stood the test of time protecting imperiled plants and animals," Seventh Congressional District candidate Leonard Lance denounced efforts to weaken the 1973 law.

"The Endangered Species Act has played a vital role in maintaining our nation's great environmental diversity," Lance said.  "As a lifelong environmentalist in the mold of Teddy Roosevelt, I cannot support any effort that would make such sweeping changes to a law that has protected our country's most vulnerable wildlife since its passage in 1973."

Earlier this month, the Bush administration proposed changing the way the federal government decides whether wildlife and plants deserve protection under the Endangered Species Act.  Under the plan, federal bureaucrats - not independent government scientists as required under the current law - would decide whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants.

Joining Lance in opposition was David Pringle, of the New Jersey Environmental Federation. "A farmer wouldn't hire a fox to guard his hen house or a crow to protect his corn row yet President Bush is proposing just that here", added Pringle. "EPA's environmental professionals not Army Corps engineers, Bureau of Mining bureaucrats, or DOT road crews need be in charge of ensuring dams, mines and highways don't destroy critical natural resources," said Pringle.

"The proposed weakening of endangered species protections is selling out our children's future for special interests and another example of the failed environmental legacy of the Bush Administration. Kudos to Senator Lance as we need legislative leaders to stand up and ensure the survival of species," said Eric Stiles, Vice President for Conservation, NJ Audubon Society.

"The Endangered Species Act is a vital tool that makes federal agencies stop and think about the potential environmental impacts of their actions.  Because of the Endangered Species Act and other environmental laws, bald eagles nest along the South Branch of the Raritan River for the first time in many generations," said William S. Kibler, Executive Director, South Branch Watershed Association.

Lance called on concerned citizens to contact the White House in opposition to the changes.  There is a 30-day public comment period.

"Thirty-five years ago, Republican President Richard Nixon and a Democratic Congress joined together to pass the Endangered Species Act with the goal of providing a safety net for endangered fish, wildlife and plants.   The ESA was a conservative, bi-partisan idea that has stood the test of time protecting imperiled plants and animals.  President Bush should consider this my public comment in opposition to his plan," Senator Lance concluded.

Paid for by Lance for Congress