Walks of Life: Policy Makers

The policy makers below support the Endangered Species Act.

Jim Baca, Former Albuquerque Mayor

We often talk about the ‘canary in the coal mine.’ We use it as a metaphor for the health of our natural systems and we have enacted the endangered species act to make sure the ‘canary’ doesn’t die.  I personally believe the human race itself is really that canary.  It is sad that the extractive industries who utilize public land and the real estate developers who want to get ownership of it see no value in letting nature reign in our many special places.   The ESA has been critical in the successful restoration of treasured wildlife species, from the grizzly bear to the bald eagle, the Pacific salmon to the grey wolf.  It is a significant law protecting America's natural heritage.  The ESA should be increasingly adapted to preventing threats to species instead of reacting to near extinctions.  For instance, long-term habitat planning, with the cooperation of landowners and public agencies, should be the goal.  The government should adequately fund programs to encourage private landowners to cooperate.  For instance, here in New Mexico, we should work with the State Land Office and willing landowners to establish stable denning areas for the Mexican wolf.  We should make payments to landowners who have successful dens on their land -- not just reimburse them when their livestock are taken by wolves. And we should encourage and incent farmers to allow water diversions for protection of species in our rivers, from the Rio Grandecuthroat trout to the silvery minnow.  The response of government agencies and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District has been oriented only to confrontation.  But the trout, the minnow, and the farmer can all have enough water if we use incentives to develop new technologies, resting some agricultural areas by cooperative agreement, and protecting flows for the sake of our wildlife.

Chris Calvert, Santa Fe City Council

I believe that all species--whether Mexican gray wolves or Mexican spotted owls and Sacramento mountain butterflies or Chiricahua leopard frogs--should be able to exist without humanity causing their extinction. Given that humans have the greatest impact on other creatures, we also have the greatest responsibility to act as shephards for them.  The Endangered Species Act is simply a reflection of that widespread public sentiment that we shouldn't cause the extinction of another species. Especially as a representative of a City whose patron saint--St. Francis--is known worldwide as a protector of animals, I believe we have a special obligation to respect the sanctity of all creatures. I support this visionary law and believe that the federal government should provide the funding necessary to ensure its full implementation.

Dutch Salmon, New Mexico Game Commissioner

The Endangered Species Act is the strongest weapon we have to save biological diversity and to battle the principal foe of that diversity, unsavory development. Some day we will learn to live sustain ably, understanding that carrying capacity applies to us humans too, a norm of nature that coyotes and jackrabbits worked out eons ago. Until then, it's environmental firefights, and a need for laws to govern men within the limits of nature's plan. For those willing to learn, the ESA teaches us humility as to our place in the natural world; for those unwilling, it at least compels better behavior. And hope for the future.