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<br />OOlu~8 <br /> <br />federal regulators down to state and local governments and triggers a planning process <br />that looks ahead of time, proac:tively. not just at one species, but at a range of species and <br />a range of habitat needs. <br /> <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 statuUl from a regulatory <br />meat cleaver into something that catalyzes the planning process and pushes the decision <br />",.lcing down to the local level: we nced 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 SIBle and <br />local govcmments. In order to try to begin that broader process, the Secretary (of <br />Interior) is going to annoUIlCC 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 /> <br />Interior has initiated change. An interagency working group has just finished making its <br />recommcndatioDll 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 desiIed in the state role. <br /> <br />", <br />...,..,..., <br /> <br />Our chainnan, Utah Gowmor Mike Leavitt, has set a tlu:me entitled "A Stronger Voice, A Better <br />Balance, A Wesl That Works." As part of that theme he wants to provide cmful analysis of <br />several pieces oflegislation. pointing out changes needed to restore a workablo balance between <br />the federal and state governments. He also wants to use two or three programs as models to try <br />improved ways ofrllnn;ng them. ESA fits on both counts. <br /> <br />That is just one example. This workshop has the potential to provide the foundation IIIId foc:us <br />for a number of discussions about a revised endangOMd ~ies process. I look fDrward to the <br />olltcomc QD Friday. <br />