Endangered Species Act

 

Senate Hearing Spotlights New ESA Rewrite Proposal. According to E&E News, “The perennial push for a new and, some say, improved Endangered Species Act resumes this week when a Senate panel examines the latest ambitious rewrite. Weighing in at 116 pages, the legislation introduced by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) takes a top-to-bottom approach to refurbishing a law adopted in 1973. While packed with specifics, the new measure also communicates a broader message. ‘My bill promotes the recovery of species and will allow local economies to thrive,’ Barrasso said in a statement last week, adding that ‘state and local experts need to be leading efforts to protect local wildlife.’ The Wednesday morning hearing before the Senate and Environment and Public Works Committee, which Barrasso chairs, will be the first for S. 4589. Many of its ideas, though, are familiar ones from the decadeslong ESA debate. The landmark environmental law’s last reauthorization ran out in 1992, and Capitol Hill is crowded with the fallen skeletons of past ESA bills crafted often by conservatives. Barrasso said he drew upon the work of a bipartisan Western Governors’ Association’s ‘Species Conservation and Endangered Species Act Initiative’ in drafting the legislation that’s been in the works for a while. In 2018, Barrasso aired a draft version of the ESA bill to mixed reviews.” [E&E News, 9/21/20 (=)]

 

Endangered & Protected Species

 

Idaho Wolf Killings Up To 570 Over Past Year. According to Idaho Express, “Over the past year, more wolves were killed in Idaho than in any other year since at least 2013. From July 1, 2019, to June 30, 570 wolves were killed by hunters, vehicles, traps and other causes, according to data from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Most of the wolves were killed by trappers and hunters. The Fish and Game Commission earlier this year extended the wolf-trapping and hunting seasons and increased the number of tags a hunter or trapper could buy. Katie Oelrich, Fish and Game wildlife staff biologist for large carnivores, said the department has seen a ‘substantial increase in wolf harvest.’” [Idaho Express, 9/18/20 (=)]

 

Massive Damage Of Rare Plants Probed At Nevada Mine Site. According to Associated Press, “State and federal authorities are investigating the mysterious loss of a significant swath of a rare desert wildflower that’s being considered for federal protection at a contentious mine site in Nevada with some of the largest untapped lithium deposits in the world. The Australian mining company, Ioneer Ltd., and state biologists investigating the unprecedented incident believe small mammals most likely caused the damage to thousands of plants at the only place Tiehm’s buckwheat is known to exist. Conservationists suspect a more sinister scenario: Somebody dug them up while federal wildlife officials consider listing the plant as an endangered species. Nevada’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating. ‘While the investigation is still underway and the cause has yet to be determined, the evidence reported to us is consistent with herbivore activity,’ department spokeswoman Samantha Thompson said in an email to The Associated Press.” [Associated Press, 9/20/20 (=)]

 

Wildlife

 

Solar Panels Shine A Light On Bee Habitats In MN. According to Public News Service, “September is National Honey Month, and while there’s still concern over struggling bee populations, a Minnesota project has helped establish a new approach to make these pollinators thrive again. Several groups, including Fresh Energy, have played a role in making Minnesota the first state to adopt a regional standard for pollinator-friendly habitats within solar farms. Dustin Vanasse, CEO of Bare Honey, operates hives on a renewable energy site owned by Enel Green Power just north of the Twin Cities. It’s among 1,200 acres in the state that have a solar farm with bee friendly plants growing around the panels. He said it makes better use of land that has replaced habitats for the insect. ‘What most solar companies were doing was they were putting down turf grass or pea gravel underneath their solar arrays,’ Vanasse said. ‘But now, what’s happening is becoming a quick industry standard is they’re planting pollinator-friendly habitat underneath the arrays.’ And, he said, the habitat can stick around for as long as the solar panels are in operation, which is usually around 25 years. A federally-funded study is underway to determine the effectiveness of this approach.” [Public News Service, 9/21/20 (=)]

 

Wildlife Corridors

 

Laguna Teen Engages A New Generation Of Environmental Stewards. According to Laguna Beach Independent, “‘Born into a surfing family, I grew up at the beach,’ Tess said in a prepared statement. ‘It wasn’t until my internship at Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. where I really began to understand the relationship between the land and the sea. Working on social media has connected me with my community and allowed me the platform to post important issues that relate to how we take care of our backyard.’ Engaging youth has been a renewed part of the non-profit’s strategy since 2015 to broaden its reach in educating the public about wildlife in Laguna Beach and Orange County, particularly the younger generation, people of color, and those who have traditionally been left out of the environmental movement. Laguna Greenbelt has helped preserve open space in Orange County since 1968. Over the years, playing a central role in establishing the coastal wilderness system. The organization is also supporting the creation of the Irvine-Laguna Wildlife Corridor.” [Laguna Beach Independent, 9/18/20 (=)]

 

 

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