‘Endangered’ Listing for California Gnatcatcher
Of course land developers don’t want the gnatcatcher or its habitat protected (“U.S. Considering Compromise on Gnatcatcher,” Feb. 23), and of course they claim “the bird is not imperiled.”
Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, the tobacco industry also insisted cigarettes weren’t injurious to health. And the asbestos industry said asbestos doesn’t damage the lungs. How many people died from smoke or asbestos exposure before the government finally stood up to those industries?
The compromise that the chief of listing at U.S. Fish and Wildlife calls “the first of its kind” and “a cutting-edge exercise” is as old as arm-twisting.
The scientific evidence is in. The government should stop pussyfooting around and list the gnatcatcher as endangered.
JANET REMINGTON
Costa Mesa
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