Endangered Species Resolution Exposed

The Endangered Species Resolution is listed under ALEC's Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force and was included in the 1995 ALEC Sourcebook of American State Legislation. According to ALEC.org, the Resolution was approved by the Board of Directors in 1995, re-approved on January 28, 2013. (Accessed on 7/28/2015).

ALEC Resolution Text

WHEREAS, Congress enacted the Endangered Species Act in 1973 to conserve threatened and endangered plant and animal species,

WHEREAS, the United States and the states have some of the world’s strictest laws which protect our environment, yet seek to strike a balance between environmental protection and resource production,

WHEREAS, the Endangered Species Act may be re-authorized by Congress;

WHEREAS, the current Endangered Species Act does not allow consideration of social or economic consequences in the listing of threatened or endangered species;

WHEREAS, the current Endangered Species Act does not adequately consider a role for the states, nor the social and economic implications of critical habitat designation or recovery plan development and implementation;

WHEREAS, the Endangered Species Act thereby presents significant potential negative social and economic consequences for every state of the union; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, the American Legislative Exchange Council supports policies which balance the social and economic needs of people and communities in federal decision-making processes with the needs of environmental protection; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Legislative Exchange Council urges Congress to amend the Endangered Species Act upon its re-authorization to require a stronger role for the states and a stronger consideration of the social and economic consequences, including takings, in whole or in part, in the designation of critical habitat and in the development and implementation of recovery programs for threatened or endangered species, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to all ALEC members, all state Governors, and Members of appropriate Congressional Committees.