NMMA supports endangered species reform bill
WASHINGTON – A bill the National Marine Manufacturers Association supports and calls a “major step in the reform of the outdated and ineffective Endangered Species Act,” has been introduced in Congress, according to a recent NMMA release.
The Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act was introduced by House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) and Representative Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) Sept. 19.
NMMA said it advocates updating ESA and is encouraged by the introduction of TESRA.
“The ESA impacts the marine industry through the listing of species including whales, gamefish and coral that potentially limit the areas that boaters can operate, dock, anchor, moor, fish or dive,” said Monita Fontaine, NMMA vice president of Government Relations. “The law also affects the maintenance and construction of boating infrastructure such as marinas, docks and boat ramps.
“TESRA is good, common sense legislation that will help bring ESA back on track of realizing its initial purpose — the protection and recovery of endangered species — while limiting negative impacts on businesses, landowners, the federal and local governments, and Americans who enjoy the diverse natural beauty of this country.”
NMMA said TESRA fixes what it calls the long-outstanding problems of the Endangered Species Act by:
The Resources Committee held a hearing on TESRA on Wednesday and NMMA has sent letters of support to the cosponsors of the bill and said it will help steer the legislation through Congress.
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