House Passes TESRA

House Resources press release:

For Immediate Release:   September 29, 2005   Contact: Brian Kennedy at (202) 226-9019   House Passes Historic Endangered   Species Act Improvement Bill   Threatened and   Endangered Species Recovery Act passes by a vote of 229-193  For the first time in more than a decade, the House of   Representatives passed legislation introduced by Chairman Richard W. Pombo   (R-CA) and Representative Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) to update and modernize the   Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The Threatened and Endangered Species   Recovery Act (TESRA) of 2005 has more than 96 cosponsors from 30 states   across the country.   Born of   the best intentions, the ESA has failed to recover endangered species while   conflict and litigation have plagued local communities and private property   owners alike. TESRA   fixes the long-outstanding problems of the Endangered Species Act by (1)   focusing on species recovery (2) providing incentives (3) increasing openness   and accountability (4) strengthening scientific standards (5) creating bigger   roles for state and local governments (6) protecting private property owners   and (7) eliminating dysfunctional critical habitat designations. "During   debate, the entire House of Representatives seemed to agree the ESA is in   need of updates and improvements," Chairman Pombo said.   "It's incredible how far we have come.  But what surprised me most   today was the strong ideological differences about whether or not homeowners   should be compensated when their property is taken, as the Fifth Amendment of   the Constitution requires.  Upholding this right and partnering with the   landowner is the only way we are going to improve the ESA's failing   results for recovery.  This legislation does just that."