The Bush administration last week proposed a change to the Endangered Species Act that would grant federal agencies the authority to determine whether or not their projects could have environmental consequences. By doing so, says The Washington Post, independent scientists would no longer be required to conduct reviews.

Dale Hall, director of the Fish and Wlidlife Service, said the change would not impact "major" federal projects.Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.Va.), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, is concerned that this proposal would enable federal agencies to make environmental decisions that fall outside of their jurisdiction. In addition, Bob Irvin from Defenders of Wildlife, fears that federal agencies might lack the level of expertise to make decisions, especially if they do not have a wildlife biologist on staff.

Dale Hall, the director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, said the change would not apply to major federal projects and would give his agency more time to focus on the most critically endangered species rather than conducting reviews of projects that pose little threat. However, the chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) called the proposal "illegal" and vowed to fight it.