Next week legislators may take action to gut protections for Pennsylvania's endangered species.
Dear
The gas drilling and mining industries are going after the protectors of Pennsylvania's threatened and endangered species. These industries claim that the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Game Commission are hindering their plans to develop projects. They would like the agencies to get out of their way.
Two bills, HB 1576 and SB 1047, may be voted on as early as next week.
The mining and gas drilling industries want to undermine the independence of the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the PA Game Commission to administer Pennsylvania's endangered species laws.
For decades, these agencies have implemented programs to protect threatened, endangered, and rare species, such as the osprey, the great egret, the bog turtle, the banded sunfish and wild trout. These programs have been largely successful in protecting habitat and restoring wildlife.
The changes proposed by these two bills restrict the Fish and Game Commissions' ability to protect threatened and endangered species of fish and wildlife -- allowing more mining, more drilling and more clear-cutting on Pennsylvania's lands. Both agencies would have to go through a very cumbersome regulatory review process to add new species deserving of protection. In addition, the bills place the burden on the agencies to design mitigation plans if the developer encroaches on protected habitat.
No credible source has identified a problem with the manner by which the PA Fish and Boat Commission or the PA Game Commissions have administered the current law. The agencies publish the scientific data collected, have it reviewed by other scientists, publish proposed lists and protection plans, accept public comment, and hold public hearings. It is hard to find fault with this deliberative approach.
Tell your State Representative and your State Senator that you oppose HB 1576 and SB 1047.
Thank you for your support,
Thomas Au
Conservation Chair
Sierra Club PA Chapter
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