Builders Support Congressional Efforts to Improve Endangered Species Act - 2/14/2005 - Home Exterior Environment Landscaping

Builders Support Congressional Efforts to Improve Endangered Species Act

NAHB President David Wilson said that the nation’s home builders commend the four legislators for “seeking to adopt a common-sense approach that provides for species conservation and protection while avoiding the adverse economic impacts of excessive environmental regulation under current law.”

“As the hard-working people in Oregon’s Klamath Basin will tell you, and the National Academy of Sciences will confirm, this well-intentioned law simply isn’t working as it should,” said Walden. “Not only should the health of species throughout the nation be demonstrably improved by the ESA, but the health of communities and local economies should also be carefully addressed as they too are directly driven by the act.”

Sens. Chafee and Crapo reaffirmed their intent to seek bipartisan support for a consistent approach in both chambers of Congress. Chafee, who is chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water, said that his panel will hold hearings later this year and seek broad participation from the environmental and business communities.

As a long-time proponent of improving the Endangered Species Act, NAHB believes that Congress should adopt a well-balanced critical habitat reform measure that strengthens the act and ensures that the data used to make decisions under the statute actually serves to protect species.

“Two bills approved by the House Resources Committee in the 108th Congress would achieve these objectives,” said Wilson, referring to the “The Critical Habitat Reform Act” that was championed by Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.), and the “Sound Science for Endangered Species Act Planning Act,” which was sponsored by Rep. Walden.

“These bills would promote species recovery, reduce litigation, provide incentives for private landowners to enact voluntary conservation measures and ensure that Endangered Species Act decisions are based on sound scientific data. NAHB supports the reintroduction of both of these measures in the 109th Congress,” he said.