Pennsylvania House Bill 1576 -- known as the Endangered Species Coordination Act -- may sound like a bold move forward. But in fact it would seriously set back state efforts to protect endangered species.
H.B. 1576 would handcuff the Fish and Boat Commission as well as the Game Commission -- the state's species experts -- and would grant the authority to decide which endangered species are protected in Pennsylvania to the industry-dominated Independent Regulatory Review Commission.
We can't let this happen.
Despite its name, the commission lacks both impartiality and the scientific expertise to make determinations about whether animals like ospreys, great egrets and Indiana bats are endangered and need protection. The commission's process is slow, politicized and redundant -- and it would delay protections for species that urgently need them.
H.B. 1576 is being championed by some of the state's most destructive extractive industries, including mining, fracking and timber. Please take action now to urge your state representative to vote NO on H.B. 1576 and protect Pennsylvania's native species over special interests.
Dear [Representative],
I am writing to urge you to oppose House Bill 1576, known as the Endangered Species Coordination Act. This terrible bill would handcuff the Fish and Boat Commission as well as the Game Commission -- our state's wildlife experts -- and would actually prevent Pennsylvania species threatened with extinction from being protected unless the species is first listed by the federal government. H.B. 1576 is being championed by some of the state's most destructive extractive industries.
Please vote no on H.B. 1576 for the following reasons:
1. Species status changes would have to go through the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC). The IRRC process is slow, politicized and redundant to commission boards. It would delay protections for the species that need them most. Other agencies go through IRRC, but no others have to go through an independent board in addition to the IRRC.
2. The bill calls for the creation of a new database of endangered and threatened species information. This would put sensitive species information at risk and is redundant to the existing database.
3. A new provision within the bill would prohibit state agencies from "using or transferring to another state agency revenues generated through the sale of hunting or fishing licenses or federal funds for the administration of this act." This bill would add administrative burdens on state agencies, and this provision seems to prohibit the very resources needed to complete that work.
4. The bill's language jeopardizes the Fish and Boat Commission's ability to designate "wild trout streams." Sensitive headwater streams receive important protection with these designations, and we shouldn't undermine them.
I request a response from your office on how you plan to vote on this misguided legislation.
Thank you,
[Your name]
