1. Endangered Species zU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) zA federal bureaucracy zToo few people zInsufficient funding

2. The Law zThe 1973 Endangered Species Act zAnyone can petition the FWS to put a species on the Endangered Species List. zThe FWS then must review the case.

3. The Process zThe review takes one year. zIf there is merit, one more year is taken to process. zThen the species is protected from illegal harm and trade.

4. The Two Lists zApproximately 1,100 endangered species now receive federal protection zApproximately 3,000 other species are on the “candidate” list zNow a third unofficial list has begun...

5. The Stockpiling List zMany species are now shunted aside “temporarily” due to funding and manpower shortages needed for processing. zThis began in 1980 for plants, and 1984 for animals. zMany species on this list are now extinct. zOver 1,000 species are “Category One” on this list.

6. New Strategies: Tactic #1 zUsing the Endangered Species List to protect habitats zFind an endangered species in a habitat that houses other, then list the one species and save the others in the bargain.

7. New Strategies: Tactic #2 zList many endangered species one state at a time. But... zThis focuses on one state’s flora at the expense of others. zThe total number of endangered species is still the same. zThis reorders the priorities, not solves the problem.

8. The Program has Failed zGreater funding is needed to process the lists. zBut many interests are opposed to habitat preservation. zEconomic interests lobby against the endangered species program. zLogging companies are a good example.

9. An Alternative Way... zSome environmentalists want to kill the Endangered Species Act. zLet damaged ecosystems die. zProtect healthy ecosystems. zCost effective zSaving a few species on the brink sacrifices thousands not so lucky. zThe habitats are all that matter.