Congress is expected to vote Thursday on a Republican resolution to reverse endangered species protection for a tiny inhabitant of San Francisco Bay that opponents say could set a dangerous precedent.Â
The resolution aims to remove the endangered species status of longfin smelt in the San Francisco Bay. The fish received that designation in July under the Biden administration. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican from Butte County, introduced the resolution in March under the Congressional Review Act, saying it was necessary to protect the state’s water supply. Opponents say the time period for such a resolution already expired and that the Republican effort is part of an unprecedented attack on endangered species protections.
“Generally we’re seeing an all-out assault on the Endangered Species Act and protections like it,” said Cameron Walkup, policy advocate for Earthjustice, which opposes the resolution along with several other environmental groups, including San Francisco Baykeeper. Walkup called the Congressional Review Act “an undemocratic, scorched-earth policy (that) makes it so a bare majority in Congress can overturn any law.”
Read the Full ArticleSource: San Francisco Chronicle