We posted this issue last week a little light-heartedly (May 6, take a look at the excellent comment from Charles Keisel of Alaska), but its becoming clear that the tone of the issue is getting very serious.
The New York Times covered it on Sunday. The Bush Administration is trying to set a precedent in counting artificially hatched fish as part of the natural population. Check out the story (you must register first) or see an excerpt below.
Shift on Salmon Reignites Fight on Species Law
By TIMOTHY EGAN
Published: May 9, 2004
SEATTLE, May 8 — Three years ago, Mark C. Rutzick was the timber industry's top lawyer trying to overturn fish and wildlife protections that loggers viewed as overly restrictive. Back then, he outlined to his clients a new strategy for dealing with diminishing salmon runs. By counting hatchery fish along with wild salmon, the government would help the timber industry by getting salmon off the endangered species list, Mr. Rutzick wrote.
Now, as a high-ranking political appointee in the Bush administration who is a legal adviser to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Mr. Rutzick is helping to shape government policy on endangered Pacific salmon. And in an abrupt change, the Bush administration has decided for the first time to consider counting fish raised in hatcheries when determining if some species are going extinct.
The new plan, which officials have said is expected to be formally announced at the end of the month, closely follows the position that Mr. Rutzick advocated when he represented the timber industry.