'The Trump Extinction Plan' 

Editor:

I am writing in support of the Endangered Species Act and in opposition to efforts by Congress to undermine this landmark wildlife conservation law ("Rollback of Endangered Species' Protections Raising Fears," posted Aug. 13).

The Endangered Species Act is a safety net for fish, plants and wildlife on the brink of extinction. Since President Nixon signed the law in 1973, hundreds of species have been saved from disappearing forever, including the American bald eagle, the peregrine falcon and the American alligator, and many more are on their way to recovery.

But now, some members of Congress are trying to weaken the Endangered Species Act to benefit developers and the oil and gas industry. 

Protecting endangered species is important to me. 

We have a responsibility to future generations to be good stewards and protect imperiled wildlife and the special places they call home. Our senators must oppose efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act.

Eric Zeiler, Eureka

Editor:

The Trump administration just finalized regulations to dramatically weaken the Endangered Species Act — our most effective law for protecting wildlife in danger of extinction. Since President Nixon signed the law in 1973, hundreds of species have been saved from disappearing forever, including our national symbol – the bald eagle.

But the Trump Extinction Plan weakens endangered species protections by making it harder to protect species listed as threatened, delaying life-saving action until a species' population is so small it may be impossible to save. These new rules also exempt climate change from key parts of the law, making it more difficult to protect the polar bear and many other imperiled species that are impacted by the effects of climate change. Finally, the new rules make it easier for companies to build roads, pipelines, mines and other industrial projects in areas of critical habitat that are essential to imperiled species' survival.

The Trump Extinction Plan was drafted by former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and current Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, both of whom are tied to industry lobbyists and plagued by ethics scandals. Please contact our senators and urge them to overturn the Trump Endangered Species rules.

Jeanne Sumner, Laytonville