What Has The Endangered Species Act Accomplished?

The Endangered Species Act recently turned 30. Before celebrating this landmark federal legislation, we should ask ourselves a sobering question. What has the ESA really accomplished?

1 minute read

January 11, 2004, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"For starters, the ESA has done precious little to help endangered animals. Since the act's passage, seven American species have gone extinct. Meanwhile, while more than 1,260 species have been listed as "endangered" or "threatened," only 10 North American species have "recovered," often due to efforts unrelated to the ESA.Even worse, the ESA has often backfired, prompting needless destruction of wildlife habitat as it expanded from its initial mission of helping endangered species to blocking economic activity across the country."

Thanks to George Passantino

FULL STORY: The Endangered Species Act

Friday, December 26, 2003 in Reason Public Policy Institute

Government / Politics United States

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