WSP08796

• File Number: 8065
• Description: Section D General Statewide Issues - Endangered Species Act - Fisheries
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 1/1/1992
• Author: National ESA Reform
• Title: National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition - Mission-Plans-Etc for the Coalition
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

u[)22S8 . .
National Endangered Species Act Rerorm Coalition

1050 Thomas Jefferson Srreet. N. W., Washington, D.C. 20007 Phone: [phone]

January 1992

We, as representatives of a county government, a rural electric generating and transmission company. a water
conservation district and the agriculture community. recently formed the National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition.

We recognize the Endangered Species Act as one of our nation's most important statutes. We agree with the basic
purposes of the Act and agree that the nation must protect important species of plants and animals that are in danger of
extinction. We also recognize, however, that the Act is Dot perfect and. that it does not today properly balance the nation's goal
of protecting endangered species with the IUltional goals of continued economic growth, the provi5ion of water, electricity and
other basic services for our people as well as the recognition of private property rights.

We believe that it is imperative that we, the regulated community that is directly affected by the Endangered Species
Act, participate actively in the public dialogue regarding the scope and operation of the Act. The role of the Coalition will be to
focus the public debate, coordinate Ihe mes!Oage of each of us and speak to Congress and the Administration with a unified voice
on this important issue.

Mission of the Coalition:

It is our purpose to ph\y a constructive role in the forthcoming Congressional deliberations over the 1992 reauthorization
of the Endangered Spe.cies Act. We will work with Congress to develop amendmenls to the Act to ensure a halanced application
of lhis important law. Our efforts will include working 10 educale the Congress and the public on the problems of the current
law; developing modifying amendments to the Act; and advocating these amendmenls to the Congress and the Executive Branch.
Some of the issues that Coalition members have reconunen<lecl we aduress include the listing criteria and the scientific proof
required for listings; the deference, if any, to be given to other federal, state and local law, including environmental and planning
statutes; the mechanisms in the Act for considering tbe economic impacts of decisions under the ~ct; the advisability of applying
all restrictiorui of the Act to "distinct population segments R or subspecies of recently listed species; and the mechanisms for
L'onsidering the impacts of the Act 00 private property rights. The Coalition will work to ensure that Congress considers these
issues, and other issues of concern to the Coalition membership, during its debate regarding reauthorization of Ihe Endangered
Species Act.

Plans for the Coalition:

The Coalition will:

. work together to iuentify and uocwnent problems with the application of the Endangered Species Act;
.. develop and implement a plan 10 educate the public, Members of Congress and the Execulive Branch concerning current
problems with the Endangered Species Act;
... develop, with Members of Congress and members of the Coalition, proJX>sed amendmenls to the Act lhat redress the
current problems with the Endangered Species Act experienced by the public and the regulated communities; and
... advocate to the Members of Congress and the Executive Branch the enactment of the proposed amendments to the Act.

If we are to be effeclive in the Congressional reauthorization process, the Coalilion must begin its work in early 1992.
We look fOI"\l.'ard to working with you on this important issue. If you are interested in Coalilion membership, please dO'nol
hesitate 10 call any nf us or Nancy Macan at [phone].

John C. Dan
American Farm Bureau Federation
[phone]

Russell A. Bovainl
Tri-State G & T Association, Inc.
[phone]

Sam Maynes
SW Water Conservalion District of Colorado
[phone]

Arthur N. Lee
Apache County Board of Supervisors
[phone]