S.J.R. 8


Senate Joint Resolution No. 8--Committee on Natural 
    Resources

                 January 24, 1995
                 _____________

    Referred to Committee on Natural Resources


SUMMARY--Urges Congress of United States to amend 
          Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide 
          for consideration of economic impact of 
          Act. (BDR R-1084)

FISCAL NOTE:  Effect on Local Government: No.
              Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.



EXPLANATION--Matter in italics is new; matter in bra
ckets [ ] is material to be omitted.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION--Urging the Congress of the United States to 
        amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide for a 
        consideration of the impact of the Act on the economic growth 
        and development of the geographic areas in which protected 
        species are located.


  WHEREAS, The Endangered Species Act of 1973 
was enacted for the express purpose of providing a program 
for the conservation of endangered and threatened species of 
wildlife, fish and plants and to provide a means whereby the 
various ecosystems upon which such species depend may be 
conserved; and
  WHEREAS, Since its enactment, the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 and the several amendments thereto have 
been successful in protecting various species of wildlife 
from extinction, including the American bald eagle, and have 
increased the awareness of the American public as to the 
need for protecting the many diverse and unique species of 
wildlife in the United States; and
  WHEREAS, Despite its successes, the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 has also been criticized as containing 
draconian and intransigent provisions which do not allow for 
the consideration of its impact upon the ever-present need 
for human growth and development; and
  WHEREAS, The enforcement of the provisions of 
the Act often requires restrictions to be placed upon 
economic growth and development in the geographic areas in 
which protected habitats are located, thereby creating 
hardships upon the persons residing within those 
geographic areas; and
  WHEREAS, The recent controversy surrounding 
the protection of the spotted owl in the northwestern United 
States and its impact upon the logging industry provides a 
dramatic example of the need to balance competing interests 
in the area of wildlife protection; and
  WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States has 
made several appropriations of money to assist in carrying 
out the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
and is currently considering making another such 
appropriation; and
  WHEREAS, In conjunction with making such an 
appropriation, Congress may also consider the 
enactment of various amendments to the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, thereby creating an opportunity for Congress to 
restructure the provisions of the Act and to carry 
out a more balanced approach to the protection of endangered 
and threatened species of wildlife; now, therefore, be it
  RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF 
NEVADA, JOINTLY, That the Congress of the United 
States is hereby urged to include in the appropriations act 
that is currently under consideration to fund the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, an amendment which would provide for a 
consideration of the impact the Act may have on the economic 
growth and development of those geographical areas in which 
protected species of wildlife, fish and plants are located; 
and be it further
  RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate 
prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice 
President of the United States as the presiding officer of 
the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
each member of the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be 
it further
  RESOLVED, That this resolution becomes 
effective upon passage and approval.

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