Angie Craig: “authorization of the Endangered Species Act expired nearly 4 years ago on September 30, 1992. Since then, Congress has…”

“authorization of the Endangered Species Act expired nearly 4 years ago on September 30, 1992. Since then, Congress has kept the law alive by feeding it new appropriations each year. Funding without authorization is not the way to enact policy, especially one with such a high profile and one which produces such profound effects on our environment and our economy. I have been to the floor numerous times in those 4 years to recount serious problems with the law as it is being administered. It is far too costly; $500 million per year is being spent on Snake River salmon alone. No economic commonsense is being applied--or required--under the current law. The section 7 consultation process is out of control. Dozens of projects have been delayed past the point of economic viability while waiting for concurrence from the National Marine Fisheries Service. One year ago, a complete shutdown of all multiple use activities on 6 Idaho national forests nearly became a reality because of confusion over section 7. Even today, the Forest Service is proposing to shut down guided rafting trips on the Salmon River to protect spawning salmon. But they are proposing to stop rafting at times of the year when there are no fish in the river. None of this makes any sense, and it unnecessarily angers people, but that is the way the law is being applied. The law makes enemies of private landowners because of the regulation and fear it engenders.”