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federal regulators down to state and local governments and triggers a planning process <br />that looks ahead of time, proactively, not just at one species, but at a range of species and <br />a range of habitat needs. <br />But it is clear that existing policies and existing regulations do not allow the kind of <br />flexibility we would like ultimately. If we are going to turn this statute from a regulatory <br />meat cleaver into something that catalyzes the planning process and pushes the decision <br />making down to the local level; we need a system where the standards and technical <br />assistance may come from the federal regulator, but the guts of the planning and <br />implementation of habitat protection on a multi - species basis comes from the state and <br />local govermuents. In order to try to begin that broader process, the Secretary (of <br />Interior) is going to announce tomorrow a series of policy changes that we hope will <br />begin to take the Endangered Species Act in the direction I've described. <br />Interior has initiated change. An interagency working group has just finished making its <br />recommendations for .changes in the Section 7 consultation process. The Department has also <br />announced revisions in the process for habitat conservation plans. The ball is in the states' court <br />to recommend changes desired in the state role. <br />Our chairman, Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, has set a theme entitled "A Stronger Voice, A Better <br />Balance, A West That Works." As part of that theme he wants to provide careful analysis of <br />several pieces of legislation, pointing out changes needed to restore a workable balance between <br />the federal and state governments. He also wants to use two or three programs as models to try <br />improved ways of running them. BSA fits on both counts. <br />Tbat is just one example. This workshop has the potential to provide the foundation and focus <br />for a number of discussions about a revised endangered species process. I look forward to the <br />outcome on Friday. <br />• <br />