Articles

clarification on Interior regs

October 31, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

The Department of Interior has a site concerning the "Myths and Realities About the Proposed ESA Regulations," available here. … ...

Articles

More media misunderstanding of the proposed ESA regs

October 31, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

This article from azcentral.com makes, directly and indirectly, a number of rather gross errors in describing the potential effect of the proposed ESA regulatory changes.  For example, the article observes that "the rules, which are being pushed through administratively without congressional input, would limit the oversight the U.S. Fish ...

Articles

Decision rendered in listing challenge to California steelhead populations

October 30, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

On Monday, Judge Wanger of the Eastern District of California upheld, in California State Grange v. National Marine Fisheries Service, NMFS's listing of five distinct population segments (DPSs) of steelhead trout (O. mykiss).  PLF represents the plaintiffs, a coalition of timber, agricultural, and municipal water interests.  The cas ...

Articles

Baldwin Park Eminent Domain News

October 29, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

There's going to be a town hall meeting in Baldwin Park tonight to discuss the city's plan to condemn several hundred homes for redevelopment. … ...

Articles

New Study : Dams not the cause of salmon decline in the Northwest

October 29, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

So implies a recent study published in PLoS Biology and discussed here.  This finding is significant, given the immense amount of litigation in the Pacific Northwest over the effect of hydroelectric power dams on ESA-listed salmon populations.  The study's principal conclusion is that adverse ocean conditions, not dams, is likely th ...

Articles

more commentary on proposed Section 7 regs

October 29, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

At Uncommon Ground, Kent has expressed skepticism over the proposed Section 7 consultation regulations.  In particular, he points to NOAA's recent notification of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that the approval of a natural gas terminal required Endangered Species Act consultations, and then asks, "What d ...

Articles

Eminent Domain Destroys Long Beach Landmark

October 28, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

Redevelopment bureaucrats in Long Beach, California, have overseen the destruction of Acres of Books, a bookstore that's served the community for almost 75 years. More at the California Alliance for Property Rights. … ...

Articles

Draft Environmental Assessment Released on ESA reg amendments

October 28, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

Yesterday the Service released its draft EA on the proposed regulatory amendments governing Section 7 consultation.  The EA is required under the National Environmental Policy Act.  The Interior Department website has an excellent fact sheet explaining common misunderstandings regarding the nature and scope of the proposed amendme ...

Articles

Bangor Daily News on proposed ESA reg amendments

October 27, 2008 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

An editorial in today's Bangor Daily News criticizes the proposal to streamline review of federally approved projects that will not have an adverse effect on protected endangered species: In August, the administration, through the Departments of Commerce and Interior, proposed to eliminate a key provision of the act, which requires agencies tha ...