To: Allison Smilev

From: Alliance For America

Alliance
PO Box 449 Carogn L ake, NY 12032

for

5-4-95

3:57am

p.

1

of 2

America
Ph (518) 835-6702

Fax (518) 835-2527

internet Address - allianceam @ aol.com

May 31995
Grassroots groups from around the nation have formed an ESA Coalition for the ongoing debate
over reform of the ESA. The following is a statement of principles from that group:
GRASSROOTS ESA COALITION
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES FOR REFORM OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
The Endangered Species Act has:
<> failed to conserve endangered and threatened animals and plants;
<> discouraged, hindered, and prohibited effective conservation and habitat stewardship;
<> created perverse incentives, thus promoting the destruction of privately owned endangered species habitat; and
<> wasted scarce conservation resources.

The Endangered Species Act has failed in large part because it has engendered a regulatory regime
that has:
<> violated the rights of individuals, particularly property rights;
o
destroyed Jobs, devalued property, and depressed human enterprise on private and public lands;
<> hidden the full cost of conserving endangered species by foisting those costs on private Individuals; and
<> imposed significant burdens on State, county and local governments.

We therefore support repealing current law and replacing it with an Endangered Species Act based
upon these principles:
- Animals and plants should be responsibly conserved for the benefit and enjoyment of mankind.
- The primary responsibility for conservation of animals and plants shall be reserved to the States.
- Federal conservation efforts shall rely entirely on voluntary Incentive-based programs to enlist the cooperation of
America's landowners and invigorate their conservation ethic.
- Federal conservation efforts shall encourage conservation through commerce, Including the private propagation of
animals and plants.
- Specific safeguards shall ensure that this Act cannot be used to prevent the wise use of the vast federal estate.
- Federal conservation decisions shall Incur the lowest cost possible to citizens and taxpayers.
- Federal conservation efforts shall be based on sound science and give priority to more taxonomlcally unique,
genetically complex and more economically and ecologically valuable animals and plants.
- Federal conservation, efforts shall prohibit the intentional killing or physical injuring of a member of a listed
vertebrate species,

If your group has an interest in this coalition contact Chuck Cushman, the coordinator of the effort, at
(206)687-3087 or FAX (206) 687-2973 or E-MAIL: alra@pacifier.com

In the last few weeks the American people have been forced to recognize that domestic
terrorism exists in this nation. Sadly, much of the discussion involves attempts by political entities to
assign blame for the Oklahoma City tragedy to the extreme 'right' and broad brush all groups to the
right of 'far left' with this same burden of blame. Terrorism knows no right or left. Terrorism is the
actions of sick individuals and is unacceptable in a nation built upon free discussion of policy
disputes. OKC and Sacramento were not the first cases of domestic terrorism in America. The
Alliance for America is documenting cases of terrorism that our members or member groups have
been subjected to at the hands of groups like Earth First!, We are going to compile a list of cases
and present them to congressional bodies and others in an effort to assure that the full scope of
terrorism is debated during the coming weeks.

WE NEED, ASAP, YOUR INPUT. THIS WEEK.
Please send your case to:
Bruce Vincent, 5957 Champion Rd., Libby, Montana 59923
nrfav tn MOfi'l PP3-4739.