Yeah lets stick it to the kids and the anmials.

What's the lesser spotted owl down for you lately?

It's about time. Can't wait to hear the environmental whackos howl.

Ah, but will the senate pass it?

This&That

It's a trick! They're going to declare that property owners are an endangered species!

Supreme Court's got their back on this one!

So if I buy some land, submit my plans for a pretend strip mall and scatter around a few bags of Bag-O- Darters how much money do I get?

I foresee a great demand for trained spotted owls.

Scott, considering that every acre of land probably has some unique bacteria or other microfauna on it, someone just might be able to get away with that stunt.

This bill brings the law closer to the original bill passed by Congress in 1973.

It's the case law added by wacko left-wing judges that makes the current law so crazy.

Frankly, the way the current Endangered Species Act works is if you find an endangered animal on your land, the best thing to do, economically, would be to snuff it before the Feds find out. Not a great way to preserve biodiversity.

It appears that the Feds only step in if your property value drops by 50% or more, and if you file a claim you have to transfer the title over to them.

It's a trick! They're going to declare that property owners are an endangered species!

Property owners are an endangered species. There are numerous environmental organziations whose goal is to put as much land as possible in public trust to the point of extremism.

Worse, in California these trusts are allowed to raise property taxes in violation of Prop 13. They are multiagency fiefdoms. They control millions of acres of land and billion dollar budgets and alott themselves enough perks, but not too many, to make their lives comfortable. They spend their time jetting all over the world for land use conferences on your tax dollar. Then they retire on a gov. pension and start their new career as big bucks consultants.

Say good-bye to the boreal toad.

With respect to section 7 of the ESA, Pombo’s revisions actually make it easier for eco-extremists to go into court and wreak havoc upon local economies. Link

Pombo’s revision also does away with the God Squad. Rather than invoke the God Squad and declare the Redfish Lake sockeye salmon extinct as of 1910, the federal government has so far spent ~$75 million dollars in an attempt that so far has yielded 3 adult fish returning to Redfish Lake. Link

I like toads - my back yard is full of them. Between the toads and lizards the bug population is kept in check.

I'll volunteer to adopt some of those african toads. If they can live among the banana, papaya, and avocado trees, they'll be all set.

Toads are really cool - they're kinda like outside pets that just hang around and eat bugs. The lawnmower is about the only thing that really freaks them out. Toads are the metaphorical prism through which the enlightened can view life.

But on what basis are these being compensated?

I thought the government culd take what it wanted, per New London.