Endangered Species Act: “perhaps the least flexible law Congress has ever enacted”

The decision to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is announced by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. He says the ESA is “perhaps the least flexible law Congress has ever enacted.” Kempthorne also announces that “this listing decision will be accompanied by administrative guidance and a rule that defines the scope of impact of my decision in order to protect the polar bear while preventing unintended harm to the society and the economy of the United States.” (0:31)

Listen

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Explains the Need for US Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall to Honor the Law in a Reasonable Amount of Time

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) explains the need for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services director Dale Hall to abide by US law when making decisions in a timely manner that affect the lives of polar bears at the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing examining the threats and protections for the polar bear this morning.
Listen

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) on the Bush Administration Oil Policy at the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing

Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) offers his opinion on the importance the Bush Administration places on the oil industry in a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Hearing Examining the Threats and Protections for the Polar Bear
Listen