"Endanger-ous" Species Law

The countdown to January has begun, and the Bush administration is starting to roll out a long, foul list of last-minute policy changes. If its proposal to gut the Endangered Species Act is any indication of what it has in mind, we all have cause to be frightened of the next several months.
The proposal, which does not require congressional approval, would allow federal agencies to decide for themselves whether or not that highway, dam or mine they want to build would adversely impact any endangered species - instead of turning the matter over to independent government scientists in the Fish & Wildlife Service, the way that they've done for 35 years.

And if you don't think that the Department of Transportation or the Office of Surface Mining or any other federal department is more interested in getting its own projects done than in the fate of a rare fish or snake or bird, well, how much would you like to pay for that bridge that is going to destroy them? - San Francisco Chronicle

Go hug your tree. Really, though, there are so many more important issues needed to be dealt with. Who wrote that article, Jello Biafra?

Water voles to receive protection

Concerned about animals? Here's a story you'll like.

Water voles are to be given protection from persecution and accidental
disturbance to try to stem the decline in their population.

More here.

Rare turtle born

From the Boston Globe:

Zoo Atlanta has hatched a rare Arakan forest turtle, a victory for researchers trying to save the endangered Asian species -- one shell at a time.

Victory!