Politics, Science and the Gnatcatcher
The politically appointed California Fish and Game Commission is supposed to protect our wildlife, yet it has a long history of favoring economic interests over biologic considerations. Last year, the commission ignored its own staff and refused to advance the California gnatcatcher under the state Endangered Species Act.
Now, the courts have determined that they acted illegally on the gnatcatcher. In contemptuous terms, the judge described the commission’s failure to back up their conclusions with scientific evidence.
Will the commission waste tax dollars with further maneuvering and dig themselves into a deeper legal hole, or will they instead act to restore their shattered credibility by following the law? We will soon find out.
DAN SILVER
Los Angeles
Dan Silver is coordinator for the Endangered Habitats League, a coalition of 36 conservation groups dedicated to land-use solutions.
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