Sponsor Statement for SJR 16

"Relating to Re-authorization and Reform of the Endangered Species Act."

Senate Joint Resolution 16 supports the efforts of our Congressional delegation, and other states, in reforming the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The ESA was passed by Congress in 1973 and has been amended several times. The basic premise of the ESA is to prevent the extinction of species.

It is unfortunate that examples of governmental abuse of power can be found alongside the successes of the ESA. SJR 16 recommends that the re-authorized Act assure partnership with the states and protection of private property rights.

SJR 16 requests the re-authorized Act not include: 1) any expansion of federal authority; 2) implementation of the complicated Biodiversity Treaty; or 3) any new biological diversity reserve system.

Alaska has more to lose in this debate than most states because of our resource-based economy. Examples of the ESA invoked to halt economic activity include a lawsuit filed by Greenpeace to shut down the eastern Gulf of Alaska pollock fishery, and proposals by the U.S. Forest Service to list the Alexander Archipeligo Wolf and the Queen Charlotte Goshawk as threatened.