Hi Peter,

This week could spell the beginning of the end for the grizzly bear, the Florida manatee, the peregrine falcon, and thousands of other treasured American plants and wildlife protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Please take a moment to help protect endangered species in America and the Endangered Species Act by asking your Representative to oppose the sham "reform" proposed by Congressman Richard Pombo.  Then get your family and friends involved by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=876&id4=ES


This week, the House Resources Committee will move forward efforts to severely weaken the Endangered Species Act - one of our country's most successful and valued environmental laws.  For over thirty years, the Endangered Species Act has served as a safety net for plants, fish and wildlife that are on the brink of extinction.  In that time, the Act has saved nearly 99 percent of protected species from extinction - only 9 of the 1800 plants and animals protected by the Act have been declared extinct.

Unfortunately, certain members of Congress are working to eliminate protections that have allowed us to save the bald eagle, grizzly bear, Florida manatee and several other species from extinction.  Earlier this week, Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA), introduced new legislation that will fundamentally alter and weaken the Endangered Species Act and our ability to protect out natural heritage for future generations.  Simply put, this legislation seeks to remove protections for our nation's endangered species in order to open loopholes that benefit big developers and other special interests.

Congress may vote on this legislation before the end of September.  Please take a moment to urge your Representative to save the Endangered Species Act and to oppose Representative Pombo's inappropriately titled legislation  - the Threatened and Endangered Species Reform Act of 2005 (TESRA).  Then get your family and friends involved by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=876&id4=ES


Background

Earlier this week, Congressman Richard Pombo introduced new legislation aimed at weakening the Endangered Species Act and eliminating many protections that have allowed us to protect hundreds of species from extinction, including the bald eagle, grizzly bear, Florida manatee, gray wolf, right whale and many other species.  The legislation, inappropriately titled "The Threatened and Endangered Species Act of 2005," is disguised as responsible reform but is clearly aimed at weakening species protections.

According to a recent analysis, the Pombo legislation would, among other things:

 * Eliminate all habitat protections needed for threatened and endangered species to survive.

 * Remove protections for threatened species, which would limit our ability to protect species from extinction and remove protections that prevent the killing of hundreds of species, including the bald eagle.

 * Establish new loopholes that cater to big developers and other special interests at the expense of our most cherished wildlife and endangered species.

Later this week, the House Resources Committee will vote on Congressman Pombo's legislation, and it is quite possible that the entire House of Representatives will vote on this controversial legislation before the end of September.  Please take action now to help us stop these efforts and protect the Endangered Species Act.  Then get your family and friends involved by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
http://pirg.org/alerts/route.asp?id=876&id4=ES

Sincerely,

Gene Karpinski
U.S. PIRG Executive Director
GeneK@uspirg.org
http://www.USPIRG.org

P.S.  Thanks again for your support.  Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends.

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