Talking Points on the Environment #15 A Species Protection Plan
That Works for Both Wildlife and Humans Although most Americans
oppose the excesses of the Endangered Species Act, many also
favor some form of species protection for the most valued
species. The best way to protect these species while protecting
individual liberty is through a voluntary, incentive-based
system. Elements of such a system might include: - Tax for
Nature Swaps: Incentives could be offered to private property
owners to create rather than destroy wildlife habitat by making
changes to the tax code. Losses in federal tax receipts
resulting from such tax breaks would be made up from profits
generated from publicly-held natural resources. - Advice and
Information: The federal government's role in species protection
could be changed from a coercive role to an advisory one,
thereby fostering cooperation rather than confrontation.
Government could offer information resources to encourage and
assist landowners with their own - Cash for Speci