Outside Online: The News: Endangered Species Act Special Report

Introducing the Endangered Species Conservation and Management Act of 1995

The Endangered Species Act Task Force, chaired by Rep. Richard Pombo, held seven field hearings from coast to coast, and three more in Washington, DC during March, April and May of 1995. The Pombo task force held more field hearings on the ESA in three months than in all of the previous 22 years since the Act was signed into law in 1973.

Over 100 witnesses testified at the seven field hearings. Three fourths had never previously testified before Congress. In total, 154 people spoke at the 10 hearings.

More than 8,000 people attended the field hearings, for an average attendance in excess of 1,000 per meeting. Twenty five members of congress participated in the field hearings, including seven Democrats and 18 Republicans.

Over 5,000 citizens have written to the task force, making suggestions for reform and improvements to the ESA. Their correspondence fills several large boxes and weighs 127 pounds.

By contrast, when the ESA was adopted in 1973, only three hearings were held on the legislation, all in Washington.

Five issues addressed by witnesses at task force hearings

Use good science. Include in the process good peer review, blind studies, the option to challenge the science being used. The "best available" doesn't equal good.
Bring people into the process. Social and economic considerations must be weighed in the conservation process.
Compensate property owners. Look at options to compensate property owners who are impacted. A small number of individuals should not bear the entire burden of a public policy decision.
Include incentives. Encourage property owners to manage their land so that it is good habitat for species. A land owner should not regard an endangered species as a threat.
Increase state and local participation. Local government should have a major role in implementation of the ESA.

Source: Rep. Richard Pombo's office