I concur; organisms should be delisted when they are no longer endangered
or threatened. When that happens it *is* a success story and does lend
credibility to the process. However, "the price of Liberty is eternal
vigilance". In the case of Bald Eagles recovery may be only temporary when
one threat is removed, as in the cessation of manufacture and use of DDT in
the United States, but other threats, such as gradual habitat loss, remain.
The point is, we should be managing ecosystems not just species.
Unfortunately, it takes a Spotted Owl, a Snail Darter, or other indicator
species to act as a surrogate for habitat. Gene appears to be saying that
habitat protection should be happening voluntarily but I don't think the
timber companies, and many others, have gotten the message. Habitat, by
itself, looks like Real Estate to a lot of people. Also, species are
"recovering", but in altered environments that, in the long run, may not
sustain them.

Herb Curl


h.curl at hazmat.noaa.gov "You may be only young once but you can be
Hazmat/NOAA, 7600 Sand Pt. Wy., NE immature the rest of your life."
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