The Endangered Species Act as a Major Driver of Large-Scale Ecosystem - Research Paper Example

Re ization of the Endangered Species Act The wildlife conservation society, a body responsible for protecting wildlife has been on a tireless mission to conserve wildlife for future generations. The society also has, among its objectives a progressive means to protect threatened species, and to enhance the available of protecting them (The University of Michigan 5). The Endangered Species Act was created to maximise the protection for the diminishing vegetation and wildlife. The act was also established to provide the recovery of the above plants and animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates (Miller & Spoolman 315). The loss of habitats for most wildlife is the main cause of listing of species. On listing of a certain species, legal and powerful means are availed to protect its habitats. In the same way, when resources are associated with the listed species, for example water in dry regions or free-flowing rivers, ESA is seen as a hindrance to greater human utilisation. ESA may also be controversial since the diminishing species usually are harbingers of broader ecosystem conflicts. This makes ESA a major driver of large-scale ecosystem restoration issues (Miller & Spoolman 315).Previous congresses have held oversight hearings on the implementation of certain federal laws and programs addressing endangered and threatened species (Snape and Weiner 61). Some of the hearings involved topics such as delisting and listing decisions under ESA to validate endowment levels for international programs of conservation. FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ESA: The 113th congress that will be held will include discussion of issues like how to allocate programs and activities that seek to assist the adaptation of certain species to changes in climate. Another issue that will be discussed concerning ESA will be concerned with the role of Science in making decisions on essential habitat designation, suitable fortification of listed species, incentives for property owners among other decisions (Miller & Spoolman 315). ESA is one of the most contentious environmental regulations due to its substantive requirements that influence the use of both non-federal and federal resources and lands. Under the law, species are to be listed as in danger of extinction based solely on the most significant scientific information without regarding economic factors (The University of Michigan 6). Congress is faces the matter of how to weigh the safeguarding of endangered species with economic interests (Heather & Snape 62). Strong opposition has been the major cause of failure to reauthorize ESA. The last reauthorization expired in the year 1992. Previous congresses that objected on tackling ESA failed. The 113th congress, however, has not introduced measures to reauthorize the act. More bills have been introduced to curtail listing of more species. Where foreign species are involved, the secretary of the ESA is supposed to take into consideration the actions taken by other agencies or governments before deciding that the foreign species should be listed. The secretary should also determine strategies for listing various species based on the paramount accessible scientific data (Miller & Spoolman 315). Efforts by foreign agencies and governments need to be considered too, while at it. A regulatory and public opinion process is required before the listing (Snape and weiner 63). Scientific bodies, as well as, governments can take part in commenting on proposed listings. ESA is also responsible for the regulation of export and import of wildlife products that are made from listed species and also gives certain exceptions to export and import regulations (The University of Michigan 7). A report conducted in the United States gave findings that trade in endangered wildlife products such as rhino horns, turtle shells and ivory from elephants usually amounted to 7billion on a yearly basis, and is not inclusive of illegal logging and fishing (Lunder & Sheikh 27). The figures stated above suggest unlawful trafficking of wildlife is among the most profitable crimes, globally, surpassing even human trafficking and counterfeiting (Miller & Spoolman 315). Discussion of the Issues that come along with the ESA. Reauthorization of the ESA is always on the agenda, following the previous failures. Bills in each congress are introduced to address certain features of the endangered species protection. Issues that are to be addressed include determination of whether Species restoration and safeguarding are working. The major goal of ESA remains the recovery of species to the point where the organisation will not be required anymore (Miller & Spoolman 315). Since the ESA was enacted during the past 40 years, around 58 and other foreign species have been delisted (The University of Michigan 9). Some of the recovered species are such as the American alligator, gray whale and brown pelican. It is however fairly challenging to determine whether the extremely rare species are only extremely rare, or are, in fact extinct. Some people remain adamant that the ESA has failed since only about thirty species have been delisted due to recovery. On another side, around ten species have been delisted due to their being extinct (Hickey 423-454). Other people also note that full recoveries are limited since invasive species and habitat loss are on the increase and are the chief causes of extinction. The ESA also has a policy that states only the most desperate will receive priority. The above policy will only make recovery more challenging since a conservation intervention will only occur in the final phases of the species decline (Alexander & Com 10). Another way of assessing whether the ESA is doing well is by assessing the figures of species that have increased population or that have gained stability, even if they have not been delisted (Miller & Spoolman 315). Under the above standard, the ESA could be a possible success, having in consideration that a big number of species have stabilized and improved in terms of the level of population (Hickey 423-454). Another way to look at the progress is looking at the proportion of the recovery objectives as identified in the species recovery plans. ESA made requirements that the determination of a species’ status is made mainly on the basis of the commercial and scientific data available (Lunder & Sheikh 28). In many situations, social, legal and economic disputes have resulted from actions under ESA. Those criticizing in some of the disputes are of the idea that science that is in support of an ESA action is usually insatiably vigorous and is usually mishandled by the agencies (Alexander & Com 9). A majority of many endangered species are given little study since they are hard to come across and it is challenging to locate enough for study. In some cases, there is only little information on species facing extinction (Snape and weiner 64). A limited supply of funds and personnel to conduct studies of the rare species is the major challenge (Hickey 423-454). In response, some suggest that considerations other the conservation of species should thrive. Others find it necessary to change the present posture of the law by altering the role science plays. Such considerations, however, are made complicated by the period and expenditure that is essential to acquire more information, especially in relation to the many lesser- identified species (The University of Michigan 10). Arguments that Support the Reauthorization of the ESA. Ever since the coming up of the ESA in 1992, congress has continually failed to reauthorize the critical species protection law (Miller & Spoolman 315). The existing law has been in effect all this while, though the failure to reauthorize has also faced expenses. Necessary alterations to the ESA, which are to address the implementation challenges and possibly enhance the rate of species recovery, have been hindered by the reauthorization standoff (Alexander & Com 11). The failure to reauthorize the act has also left it prone to the yearly appropriations process, where opponents are trying to slash the funding of the act and place restrictions on its acting. In 1992 for example, the congress passed an emergency appropriations bill that was inclusive of prohibition of listing new species under the ESA (Hickey 423-454). The listing was lifted one and a half years later, after a long legislative battle. The position of the most listed species that face extinction and the strong likelihood that the next ESA bill will not be amended for the next ten years demand for careful compromise (Roman 15). The ESA has been on the spotlight for its failure to sufficiently protect species, especially those on private land (Lunder & Sheikh 29). Measures that will help the ESA in its success have been put forward as follows: Formation of a commission: A national commission that will be in charge of species extinction is to be convened. The role of the commission is to follow up on the work that was originally started by an agency on environmental protection (Alexander & Con 11). Formation of a committee will also aid the science academies that are coming up, that will assess how the ESA is achieving its scientific goal. The committee will also consider the effects the existence or extinction of certain species have on human welfare, and this will enable the congress to make better informed decisions. Protecting Animal and Plant Species on their Populations: Congress should come up with plans that continually protect species, instead of waiting for them to be faced with extinction before taking action. The ESA should be altered to authorize federal bodies to work together with the aim of protecting wildlife species, habitats and inventory species, as well as, identifying and safeguarding species that are indicators of healthy ecosystems (Hickey 423-454). Preventative measures should aim at computer mapping and technological tools that will source valuable information on biological matters. Information from long-term searches will also be of importance. Introduce Economic Incentives: Economic incentives will come in handy, especially where protection of species on private lands is involved. This is so, since about half of all the listed species are found on private land. Congress should explicitly provide incentives for private land-owners to protect the species on their lands (Alexander & Com 10). Encourage Involvement of the State at Large: Encouraging states to assume bigger responsibility on protection of endangered and threatened species is another way to promote effective conservation plans. To efficiently address contained threats to listed species and habitats, much of the authority should be transferred to and shared with state governments ( Lunder & Sheikh 29). The ESA has provided means to transfer authority from the governments to state wildlife agencies through certain agreements. It is also crucial that the state agencies’ conservation activities are up to standard with those set by the federal government. Creating Regional Planning Means: Achieving ecosystem management and addressing issues on ecosystem fragmentation is required on a large scale planning mechanism (Alexander & Com 12). A mechanism like the one above should be constructed in a way that will protect important areas of the ecosystem. This will be done, by identifying the weak habitats and guiding human expansion away from the susceptible areas. Under a regional ecosystem management undertaking, general guidelines should be established through a combined effort between the local governments and the federal state. Conclusion The endangered species act, as seen above has faced several debates and alterations. The reauthorization bill faces weakening (Snape and weiner 65). Riders that were close to unrelated harms that hindered listing of sensitive ecosystems and new species have contributed to its being weak. The rising issue remains how to save the act (Alexander & Com 10). A senate bill that was introduced by Senator Slade would destroy protection for species, and would do so at the expense of taxpayers. It would substitute recovery with conservation objectives that would be as minimalist as offering endangered species no protection other than intentional killing. To make matters worse, the bill further states that “taking” endangered species will protect them from activities that will injure or kill the wildlife (Lunder & Sheikh 29). The ESA should work well, without taking property or hindering growth. The wildlife tax check-offs, Green Acres bond issues and license plate programmes are all initiatives from the public to guard wildlife and rare habitats and species. The ESA shows no negative impacts on the economy (Hickey 423-454). A study once conducted had its findings that even states with the highest number of listed species recorded high economic growth. Another study that was conducted, also found that states that had healthy environments and ecosystems offered the best job opportunities (Snape and Weiner 66). The ESA has proved to be successful in some sectors. It has for instance succeeded in recovering the bald eagle in New Jersey. The act has also triggered the resource value classification under fresh water wetlands law, thus protecting valuable habitats. The ESA also has economic benefits that are not taken into consideration by its critics (Alexander & Com 8). The medicinal uses of nature for instance, are several (Hickey 423-454). Twenty- five percent of the substances found in drugs are extracted from nature. Based on further research, the numbers are supposed to rise, provided habitats are protected. The ecotourism industry also benefits from the conservation policies of the ESA (Lunder & Sheikh 29). Wildlife conservation is in short, an investment in both current and future economies locally and nationally. Works cited Sheikh, Pervaze, A & Lunder, Erika. Reauthorization of the ESA: A Comparison of Pending Bills and a Proposed Ammendment with Current Law, CRS Report for congress. 13 March 2006. Web 23 sept. 2014. Hickey, Valerie. Reauthorizing the Endangered Species Act in Favour of Wildlife and Wild Lands: An Inevitable Result of Narrative Changes in 21 st Century America. 24.423(2009):423-454 Snape, William J., & Weiner, Heather, L. Recipe for Reauthorization of Endangered Species Act. 5.61 (1995):61-66. Print Miller, Tyler, G., and Scott Spoolman. Sustaining the Earth. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2012. Print. Corn, Lynne, M., & Alexander, Kristina. The Endangered Species Act in the 113th Congress: New and Recurring Issues. 13 January 2014. Web 23 Sept. 2014. Roman, Joe. Listed: Dispatches from Americas Endangered Species Act. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 2011. Print Endangered Species Act Reauthorization: Field Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Drinking Water, Fisheries, and Wildlife of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourth Congress, First Session, June 1, 1995-Roseburg, Or, June 3, 1995-Lewiston, Id, August 16, 1995-Casper, Wy. Washington: U.S. G.P.O, 1996. Print. The University of Michigan.Endangered species Technician bulletin. Endangered Species Update. 14.11&12 (1997): 2-16 Read More