It’s been 43 years since the Endangered Species Act was passed, and folks on both sides of the issue say changes are warranted. But what changes? And how?
One answer might be through the Western Governor’s Association, led by Gov. Matt Mead in Wyoming. He’s created the Species Conservation and Endangered Species Act Initiative, with topline ideas like voluntary conservation by landowners, ecosystem considerations before and after a species listing, and ways to get a species delisted, among others.
Opponents to the initiative, like the Center for Biological Diversity, have said this is just an effort “ to repeal or severely hamstring” the Act.
Joining us to discuss the ESA’s possible changes is Patrick Parenteau, a professor and endangered species expert at Vermont Law School.
