ESA Passes House

September 30, 2005

    September 30, 2005 -- As reported by QC Today, the House passed a bill that would dramatically change the 1973 Endangered Species Act (ESC) despite concerns by most Democrats and some moderate Republicans that the measure would enrich landowners and give them expanded rights at the expense of the environment.
    The measure (HR 3824), championed by Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), passed on a 229-193 vote after the House narrowly rejected a substitute amendment by Rep. George Miller (D-CA) that the environmentalists said offered better habitat safeguards without diminishing landowner interests. Miller?s measure failed 206-216.
    ?What is the difference (in the two bills)? In our bill, we protect small landowners,? Pombo said. ?If you take away the use of their private property, you have to pay them for it. There is nothing wrong with that.?
Staff contact: Peter Orwick, ext. 33

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