From: GREENLines, Friday, September 17, 2004 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT: The respected science journal Nature posed 15 questions to President George W. Bush and Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry on key science issues. Here are their responses to a question concerning the Endangered Species Act: "10) NATURE: Does the Endangered Species Act need to be amended in order to operate more effectively? If so, how would you amend it? "BUSH: We need to modernize the act so that it provides the greatest benefits to those species most in need. For example, productive reforms could include habitat conservation plans, conservation banking, voluntary agreements with landowners, and partnerships with states, tribes and nongovernmental organizations. These programs could provide far greater conservation benefits while avoiding unnecessary regulatory, economic and social burdens. "KERRY: John Edwards and I support protecting wildlife and the important goals of the Endangered Species Act. We will implement the act in a cooperative manner that extends the benefits of wildlife and habitat protection to public and private lands. With adequate funding and a cooperative approach that works for both wildlife and property owners, we will continue America's strong legacy of protecting wildlife." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Make your voice heard! Find out how to get Take Action Alerts and other important Sierra Club messages by email at: http://www.sierraclub.org/email