The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service are required to analyze the new rules to make sure they don’t violate the National Environmental Policy Act. This law requires federal agencies to come up with an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed rule that could harm the quality of the human environment. According to Wetzler, coming up with an EIS is a long and involved process.

In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service have to undertake “internal” consultations to determine the rules’ potential effects on species protected by the Endangered Species Act before the rules can be finalized. Yet another involved process, Wetzler says.

The Bush administration hopes to pass its new rules by November. It’s unclear how it plans to carry out the necessary reviews and consultations in a matter of days without violating any laws.

Angler, Via Web Ecoist

Web Ecoist showcases “20 of the World’s Weirdest Endangered Species” today with some fantastic photos of such exotic creatures as the Solenodon (not a dinosaur) and the world’s rarest parrot called the Kakapo. If the Bush administration has its way, the Endangered Species Act will be rendered useless, potentially dooming these animals. If you want to weigh in on the rule being proposed to change the law (whether you think it’s a great rule or hogwash), here’s how.