Bush Administration Launches “Sneak Attack” On Endangered Species Act

The Bush administration announced a proposal Monday to gut protections for endangered wildlife. New rules would overhaul the Endangered Species Act to allow federal agencies to decide by themselves whether agency construction projects (including highways, dams and mines) threaten endangered animals and plants. Until now, this process has always required independent scientific reviews.

Environmentalists are calling this move a “sneak attack” by the Bush administration. The proposed regulations will not be subject to congressional approval. Environmental organizations are shocked that the public comment period on the rules will only last a measly 30 days.

From a National Wildlife Federation press release:

“I have been working on the Endangered Species Act for 15 years and have never seen such a sneaky attack,