To: Sierra Club Activists Help stop attacks on the Endangered Species Act. At Issue Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA) is pushing forward with efforts to gut the Endangered Species Act, America's safety net for fish, wildlife and plants at the edge of extinction. The Pombo bill was voted out of the House Resources Committee on September 22 and is expected to come up for a vote by the full House of Representatives on Thursday, September 29th. Call Rep. Boswell's office today and ask him to oppose Congressman Pombo's efforts to turn back the clock on fish and wildlife conservation. Calls can be placed through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or e-mail him at [log in to unmask] Also write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper expressing opposition to the Pombo bill. Two sample letters to the editor are provided at the bottom of this e mail. Message: Oppose the Pombo Bill to Gut the Endangered Species Act Talking points: * The Endangered Species Act works. Of all the species ever conserved under the Act over 99% of them, including the bald eagle, have been saved from extinction. * Congressman Pombo's bill would rob American children of the natural heritage that is their birthright. * Congressman Pombo's bill would impose costly new burdens on the public, including requiring the public to pay developers, the oil industry and other special interests to avoid harming or killing endangered wildlife. * Congressman Pombo's bill would eliminate conservation measures on tens-of-millions of acres of land, the "critical habitat" endangered species need to survive and recover. * Congressman Pombo's bill should be subject to extensive and open deliberation before a House vote is scheduled. Issue background: A look at Congressman Pombo's staff analysis shows his draft bill would: 1) Eliminate conservation measures on tens of millions of acres of land around the country, the "critical habitat" of endangered species, and prevent such conservation activities in the future. 2) Require the federal government to pay developers, the oil industry and other special interests to keep them from killing or injuring publicly owned fish and wildlife. Sample Letters to the Editor Sample Letter 1 Dear Editor: For 30 years the Endangered Species Act has worked to safeguard America's fish, wildlife and plants facing extinction. The law has prevented 99% of all species ever placed under its care from going extinct and helped foster the return of wildlife such as the bald eagle. Despite these and other successes Congress is now considering gutting the Endangered Species Act. Congressman Richard Pombo of California has introduced legislation that would create a new entitlement program, requiring the government to pay developers and polluters to not kill publicly owned fish and wildlife. It would also remove protections from tens-of-millions of acres of land across the country that fish and wildlife depend on and American families enjoy. Congressman Pombo's bill turns back 30 years of successful stewardship and would rob American children of the natural heritage that is their birthright. Representative Pombo's bill leads America in the wrong direction and should be rejected by Congress. Sample Letter 2 America's Endangered Species Act has helped secure a future for hundreds of native plants and animals, including the bald eagle. Of all the fish, plants and wildlife conserved under the law 99% have been saved from becoming extinct and lost forever. When fish and wildlife wind up on the brink of extinction, the Endangered Species Act is their safety net. Despite this successful track record, Rep. Richard Pombo of California is renewing his push to gut the Endangered Species Act. His bill would abandon basic conservation principles and turn back three decades of stewardship by the American people. But Congressman Pombo's radical agenda is not just limited to salmon, peninsular bighorn sheep and bald eagles. While plowing forward with plans to gut the Endangered Species Act, Representative Pombo has also set his sights on revoking the National Environmental Policy Act and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and off America's coasts. All of these measures lead America in the wrong direction. The Endangered Species Act is an example of American values at their best. Congress should reject any proposals that would jeopardize this law of which we can all be proud. Please let me know if you do write a letter to the editor so I can watch for it. Thanks, Neila Seaman, MPA Director Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 [log in to unmask] 515-277-8868 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Join us at Sierra Summit 2005. For information go to: http://www.sierrasummit2005.org/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp