S O U N D O F F
April 19, 2008
We appreciate Secretary Kempthorne and his department’s new and refreshing approach to always take into accountability any action that might jeopardize the human habitat. Their determination to protect America's citizenry as mightily as they would any species determined "endangered,” under the strict guidelines of ESA, is admirable indeed.
Since being appointed almost two years ago, Secretary Kempthorne hasn't listed a single new species under the Endangered Species Act. We thank him for that. For in spite of the fact the DOI is continuously sued as a means for non-government organizations (NGO’s) including the Defenders of Wildlife, World Wildlife Foundation and Center for Biodiversity to attempt creature listings, he and his department have remained steadfast in taking the "Human Dimension” into account.
While species like the American bald eagle, gray wolf and grizzly bear might not still be around, had it not been for ESA, it should never be abused for the gain of unjust enrichment for a handful of big money making corporations like the Nature Conservancy.
For NGO's to usurp our legislative process in imposing their precautionary principle policies on America, is unacceptable. Historically such actions have come at a heavy price to taxpayers, and need to be stopped.
Because the environmentalists Spotted Owl gave us horrific fire and pine beetle catastrophes, they should be held accountable and make retribution for their actions.
We're thankful for Secretary Kempthorne's caution. For it is in stark contrast to Sec. Bruce Babbitt's drive to destroy resource producers in America. It's obvious he is benevolent in his interest to make certain America's citizens - before any other creature - always have the ability to feed, clothe and shelter themselves. He recognizes that maintaining a healthy, stable citizenry is the only way any creature will then be properly cared for. Under Secretary Kempthorne, the U.S. Interior Department prudently delays listings of allegedly endangered species.
It is apparent Kempthorne's department uses studies of solid science, as opposed to litigations, before any listing. He takes seriously the recommendations of scientists whose documentations bear out the facts that most species do not need any protections, for they’re doing fine, phasing out via nature, or -like the polar bear - are growing in populations.
While there may be a presence of jaguars in the United States and jaguar habitat, Kempthorne and his honest, hard working co-workers, have wisely taken into consideration jaguar’s country of origin and other scientific factors. We're thankful he's not taking the alarmist approach and wasting taxpayer dollars by caving to recovery plans for some cats whose country of origin may be in fact -foreign to America.
When the ESA is followed to a tee, the U.S. will no longer be subjected to the unreasonable pressures of frantic demands and hard core lawsuits that threaten, “You list before we permit you to look!"
Those who deliberately "disturb" a private or public property owner of rights to use, violate our constitution, and exercise a form of thief, should be subjected to penalties, fines, and quite possibly jail time. They should be held accountable for their actions, and given punishment that reflects such.
The DOI has no obligation to protect species until parties in want of a species listing have born the cost of their own due diligence ( Speculation should NEVER come at a cost to taxpayers.), and come with a science solid argument - not litigation - as to validity of such listing.
I urge you support and thank Secretary Kempthorne, for his steadfast consideration and protection of America’s citizens, under the Human Dimension section of the ESA.
Please join me in thanking Secretary Kempthorne, for not succumbing to knee jerk responses to NGO lawsuits.
Once our American citizens are gone from starvation, we can't get them back.
Roni Bell Sylvester