美國總統歐巴馬3日發布一項備忘錄，暫時撤銷前任布希政府弱化《瀕危物種法》的行政命令。過去布希政府所訂下的命令破壞了長期以來聯邦機關在辦理有關受威脅和瀕絕物種問題時，應優先諮詢美國漁業暨野生動物局與國家海洋漁業局的傳統，使得保護不成、反傷害這些生物。
當時布希政府在政權移交前一個月，聯同內政暨貿易部發布這項命令，讓聯邦機關的行動得以避開《瀕危物種法》的檢視，甚至通融那些會製造溫室氣體或排放毒物的活動。
布希政府不但未強制規範這些會危害環境或生物的活動，反而交由行政官僚自己來判斷他們採取的措施是否會傷害瀕絕物種；是否有需要讓科學家或專家來評估與決定。
歐巴馬總統在備忘錄中，要求內政暨貿易部秘書處重新檢討2008年12月16日發佈的命令，並決定是否應啟動行政命令制訂程序。
他在3月3日的公開演說中提到，「今天，我已經簽署了一項備忘錄，端正前任政府限制科學研究涉足《瀕危物種法》的偏離行徑，讓科學研究重拾在法案中的中心地位」，此話一出，台下隨即傳來熱烈掌聲。
「縱觀我們的歷史，不乏利益團體之間的緊張關係，一方積極對我們的自然資源尋求保護，為我們下一世代著想；另一方則想從這些資源中找出利益的利基。但是，我在這裡告訴各位，這是個錯誤的選擇。唯有採取聰明且永續的政策，我們才有辦法達到今日經濟的規模，並為自己及兒孫的未來保護環境。」「我們沒有不去做的理由。」
眾議院自然資源委員會民主黨籍主任委員瑞荷（Nick Rahall）由衷支持總統的倡議，回復對瀕絕物種的保護。然而，身為共和黨黨員的委員會副主委哈士丁（Doc Hastings）則對此動議持有異議，他認為政府此舉將為特定利益團體敞開大門，並且將自己推向永無止盡的官派規範與訴訟。
哈士丁議員表示，「我們的國家正遭逢嚴重的經濟衰退，聯邦政府不應下這步棋，拖延到重大的運輸工程、基礎建設與能源計劃，唯有透過這些計劃才有辦法驅動國內就業率。」
相對於共和黨議員的看法，保育團體則大讚總統改變的決心。生物多樣性中心執行長薩克林（Kieran Suckling）指出，「歐巴馬已經重新樹立科學研究的的獨立性，以及其在《瀕危物種法》中的核心地位，這對瀕絕的物種來說絕對是個好消息。」
美國政府接下來必須採取更多的行動來完全廢除過去這項命令，包括由國會制訂新的行政命令或其他作為。參議院目前考慮由眾院的「綜合撥款法」（Omnibus Appropriations Bill）著手，讓歐巴馬政府得以藉3月3日公佈的備忘錄，撤銷前任政府的行政命令，另外還有連同2008年將北極熊列內瀕危物種名單所發佈的特別規定。
President Barack Obama issued a memorandum today temporarily rescinding a Bush-era rule that weakened the Endangered Species Act.
The Bush rule allowed federal agencies whose activities might harm threatened and endangered species to avoid the longstanding requirement that they consult first with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Issued jointly by the Departments of the Interior and Commerce just one month before the end of the Bush administration, the rule exempted many federal actions from review under the Endangered Species Act, even activities that generate greenhouse gases or emit toxic chemicals.
Instead, it allowed federal employees to use their own discretion to decide whether their actions were likely to harm endangered species, whether or not they had the scientific expertise to make those decisions.
In his memo, President Obama requests the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to review the regulation issued on December 16, 2008, and to determine whether to undertake new rulemaking procedures.
"Today, I've signed a memorandum that will help restore the scientific process to its rightful place at the heart of the Endangered Species Act, a process undermined by past administrations," Obama said to applause.
"Throughout our history, there's been a tension between those who've sought to conserve our natural resources for the benefit of future generations, and those who have sought to profit from these resources. But I'm here to tell you this is a false choice. With smart, sustainable policies, we can grow our economy today and preserve the environment for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren," said Obama. "That is what we must do."
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall wholeheartedly supports the President's proposal to restore the protections for endangered species. But House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings was critical of the move, saying it would lead to "endless bureaucratic regulations and lawsuits by special interest groups."
"Our country is in the midst of a terrible economic recession and the federal government should not be taking actions that could stall vital transportation, infrastructure and energy projects that create new jobs," Hastings said.
Conservation groups praised the President's action. "This is welcome news for endangered species," said Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity. "Obama has restored independent, scientific oversight to the heart of the Endangered Species Act."
More action may be needed by the administration to fully rescind the rule, including a new rulemaking or action by Congress.
The Senate is currently considering an Omnibus Appropriations Bill from the House that would allow the Obama administration to rescind both the rule covered by today’s memo and a special rule issued in conjunction with last year's listing of the polar bear as threatened.
作者
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.
