美國布希政府正著手修改《瀕危物種法》，並於11日宣布延長公眾投書表達意見的期限。不過在同時，環保人士則聲稱此次修法將會減弱這項法律的保護力道。
今年8月間，100多個公民團體要求官方必須在定案前有一段緩衝期，供大眾表達意見──法律原本要求聯邦政府在從事可能對瀕臨絕種生物有害的活動之前，需要先詢問野生生物專家的意見；然而，該項修正案將取消是項要求。
這個修法的提案於8月15日公告，當時正是國會休會期間，也是大部分美國人的國定假期。
美國政府原本宣布30天的評論與公告的時間，但是現在又已延長了額外的30天至10月15日為止，公民團體正在尋求120天的評論公告期，再加上一系列的公聽會。
政府現在仍然拒絕接受由電子郵件或是傳真的評論，也不願意舉行公聽會，只接受以郵寄或是透過政府網站發表的評論，而評論人的個人資料將於網站上公開。
這個條例是一系列針對瀕臨絕種生物法案的修法行動之一，這個過去幾個月來由布希政府所推動的修法行動，環保人士稱其為「布希滅絕計畫」。政府同時還提案了另一個修法的條例，將會改變列入瀕臨絕種生物名單的方法，也會改變保護棲息地的方式。
「我們歡迎延長反對布希滅絕計畫的時間，並且展現對瀕臨絕種生物法案的廣大支持，」瀕臨絕種生物聯盟執行長胡達（Leda Huta）表示。
在提案的修法之下，如果聯邦政府相信他們的行動只會造成小規模的損害，他們可以略過諮詢的過程，並對所造的損失傷害負責。
8月，代表了上百萬美國人民的105個環保和科學組織對內政部長坎普瑟（Dirk Kempthorne）和商業部長古提茲（Carlos Gutierrez）提交了一封陳情信，信中呼籲對此新提案應該要公開、透明，並讓公眾有機會參與。
此陳情信力促政府要給公眾足夠的時間，來理解此法案影響保護瀕臨絕種生物的深度和廣度，如想閱讀這份修法提案的全文並發表評論，請點閱此處。
另一個布希政府於8月的提案，狹隘地定義了列於該法案裡的生物棲息範圍，這個改變可以解釋為限制了瀕臨絕種生物現今生活區域的保護範圍，而未考量歷史上的生活區域變遷。
環保人士表示，如果某一生物在小範圍內繁衍正常，但是在其他範圍卻已滅絕，該法案可能不會把此生物列入保護範圍之內，但是在此同時，害蟲、疾病或是棲地的破壞都可以快速地消滅這一小群僅存的族群。
Today, the Bush administration announced that it would extend the comment period on a proposed rule that conservationists claim would weaken the Endangered Species Act.
Last month, more than 100 citizens groups asked the administration for adequate time to respond to the proposal that would change the conservation law by removing the requirement that federal agencies consult with wildlife experts before undertaking activities that might jeopardize the survival of species listed as endangered or threatened under the act.
The proposed regulatory changes were published in the Federal Register August 15, while Congress was out for recess and many Americans were on summer holiday.
The administration initially announced a 30 day public comment period but has now extended it for another 30 days, until October 15. The citizens groups had sought a 120 day comment period and a series of public field hearings.
The administration still refuses to accept e-mail or faxed comments or hold public hearings on the proposed rule. Instead, comments will be accepted only by mail, or through a government website that warns reviewers their personal information will be posted on the Internet in a file open to the public.
The rule is one in a series of proposed regulatory changes to the Endangered Species Act released by the Bush administration in the past several months that conservationists have labeled the "Bush Extinction Plan." The administration also has proposed rules that would make changes in the way endangered species are listed and the way their habitat is protected.
"We welcome the additional time to oppose the Bush Extinction Plan and demonstrate the vast public support for the Endangered Species Act," said Leda Huta, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition.
Under the proposed revisions, federal agencies would be permitted to bypass the consultation process if they believe their actions would cause little harm to listed species. If an agency chooses to skip consultation, it would be responsible for any subsequent harm caused to the species in question.
Last month, 105 conservation and scientific organizations representing millions of Americans submitted a letter to Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez calling for increased transparency and opportunities for public participation on the new proposal.
Organized by the Endangered Species Coalition, the letter urged the administration to allow the public adequate time to address the breadth and depth that these changes would have on protecting imperiled wildlife. To read a copy of the proposal, entitled "Interagency Cooperation Under the Endangered Species Act" and submit a comment, click here.
Another rule change proposed by the Bush administration in August narrowly defines the geographic area where a species is listed for purposes of the Act. This change could be interpreted to limit protection of endangered species to their current range, not their historic range.
If a species is doing well in one small area but is extinct in the rest of its range, it could be denied listing under the act, conservation groups say, while at the same time, pests, disease, or habitat destruction could quickly wipe out a small remaining population.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
