Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court announced the Endangered
Species Act was intended to protect species “whatever the cost,”
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries
Service have enforced the ESA with a callous “blank check”
mentality. That is, without regard for the effects on people.
Under the ESA, it is a crime to harm any species listed as
“threatened” or “endangered.” Among other things, this
prohibition has stymied development nationwide and driven up the
cost of energy, transportation, housing, food production, and
flood and fire protection. But the greatest drag on the economy
is the Act’s impingement on private property rights. When a
species is listed, these agencies are required to designate
“critical habitat” for the species. Depending on the species,
this can include a few acres or thousands of square miles, on
both public and private lands. Once an area is designated as
“critical habitat,” the federal government obtains a virtual
veto power over the land’s use. Any adverse