[CPEO-MEF] Species Regulations May Be Endangered

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Species Regulations May Be Endangered
House Votes to Let Defense Sidestep Protection Laws
By Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 22, 2003; Page A33

The House voted yesterday to exempt the Defense Department from two laws
designed to protect endangered animals and plants, arguing that the
restrictions hamper the military's ability to train U.S. troops and test
weapons.

The 252 to 174 vote was a victory for the Bush administration, which has
spent more than a year seeking authority to sidestep regulations meant
to protect endangered species, marine mammals and migratory birds that
are on or near military installations.

The measure, which faces resistance in the Senate, would give the
Interior Department more leeway in setting aside rules in cases where
the military wants to conduct training and testing on the ground, in the
air and in oceans and waterways.

"These troops need to have places to train, and these training grounds
are becoming more and more restricted because of applications, and I
think wrongful applications, of our environmental laws," said Rep.
Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.).

House leaders now must reconcile the measure -- which is part of the
Defense Department's annual authorization bill -- with their Senate
counterparts. The Senate adopted language yesterday requiring the
military to draw up and fund a conservation plan before setting aside
federal environmental rules.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22976-2003May21.html

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