Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced a "narrow" change to Endangered Species Act regulations that environmentalists and Democrats said would rewrite the landmark law.

Kempthorne said the change brings existing regulations in line with recent court decisions and current practices. Federal agencies would be allowed to determine whether they can skip ESA review for dams, roads and other federal projects. Normally, such reviews are sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register and subject to a 30-day comment period.

Get the Story:
Endangered Species Act Changes Give Agencies More Say (The Washington Post 8/11)
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Relevant Documents:
Press Release: Secretary Kempthorne Proposes Narrow Changes To ESA Consultation Process (August 11, 2008)