Big Time waits stealthily outside the Interior Department for a final verdict on the symbol of America to be rendered.
From the AP.
Bald Eagle Closer to Coming Off List
By JOHN HEILPRIN, Associated Press Writer
The American bald eagle, after battling back from the threat of extinction because of habitat loss and DDT, took another step Monday toward coming off the endangered species list.
The Interior Department's Fish and Wildlife Service issued draft voluntary guidelines spelling out how landowners, land managers and others should protect the bird once it no longer is safeguarded by the 1973 law.
It also proposed prohibitions on "disturbing" the bald eagle, which could include anything that would disrupt its breeding, feeding or sheltering or cause injury, death or nest abandonment.
The Clinton administration proposed removing the bald eagle from the endangered species list in 1999. But the delisting has taken far longer than the typical year, partly because updated counts are required from each of the states, and some of those have their own rules that add to red tape.
Officials said Monday's action could lead to the bald eagle coming off the endangered species within the next year or so.
"Should the eagle be delisted, we expect that the public will notice little change in how eagles are managed and protected," said H. Dale Hall, the Fish and Wildlife Service's director.
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If and when the bald eagle is removed entirely from the endangered list, two other laws will continue to protect it: the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the 1940 Bald Eagle Protection Act, later revised to include the golden eagle.
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But the Endangered Species Act, which was passed in part because of the bald eagle's plight, remains controversial itself. Both the Bush administration and Congress want to reshape the law, claiming environmentalists have abused it to stop needed public and private projects, particularly in the West.
Doug Inkley, a senior science adviser for the National Wildlife Federation, said the bald eagle's recovery is proof that the law is working. He said his group supports removing the bird from the list.
"It's a sign of tremendous success," he said. "I think right now the future is optimistic for the bald eagle."
As long as it has been drugged stupid, it's wings clipped, it's talons bound -- and is as staked out and helpless as one of Jeff Gannon's clients -- I'm sure somehow White Hunter/Whack Heart will find a way to bravely stalk bag one.
Don't worry; it'll look like an accident.
The Eagle will be near the horizon.
Talkin' smack about Scooter Libby.
At dusk.
Boozy, boozy dusk.
That twilight time when a certain kind of man can convince himself that tomorrow and its consequences will never come.
5 comments:
Btw, check out this rant that takes full advantage of a splitting fucking headache and foaming-at-the-mouth bout of misanthropism. Glenn Greeenwald had some valid points to make yesterday when he said that conservatives have no political ideology. That, of course, attracted the wingnuts like a warm body will attract leeches in the Amazon.
I've had enough of these amateur apologists for the GOP. They seem to think that they have some invulnerability, some blue DOOM body armor that will somehow protect them from the Rapture. Well, it doesn't. Well all know that. Those of us on the side of the angels who whisper truth in our ears.
Oh, and Frist...
can't help but hear Johnny Cash singing "...shot a man in Texas; I thought he was a bird.."
I think this is a bad idea. I know that they want a Poster Bird for the success of the Endangered Species Protection Act, but at least now when some inbred, mouthbreathing, knuckledragging asshole shoots an eagle (decorum prevents me from naming names), the wrath of God falls upon them.
And of COURSE the administration wants to monkey around with the Act. Let me guess - "No Animals Left Behind" perhaps?
The bald eagle is a preditor, Isn't it?
Dimmesdale!
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