Did you know that many big rivers and lakes have dams to control the water flow? I grew up in a place that did not have many big bodies of water which made it hard to really appreciate what dams do to help the environment. However, the Tellico Dam is a controversial issue. The Tellico Dam was a planned to be built by the Tennessee Valley Authority, but got delayed once they discovered a endangered species. Where the government was allowing the Tennesseans to build the dam, in Lenoir City, Tennessee, there was a small population of a rare species of fish, the Snail Darter. The Snail Darter is a very small species of fish found in Eastern Tennessee freshwater. A little bit larger than the average paperclip, this animal is part of the perch family and primarily feeds on aquatic snails. The females can lay about 600 eggs a year. Found in shallow water, the darters, in captivity, only live up to about four years and even less in the wild. Completing the dam would likely wipe out the Snail Darters in that area, and the Darter could become an extinct species. I believe that we should keep the Endangered Species Act strong to protect animal and plant species such as the Darter. My reasons for this are that the act protects our native species, animal/plant …show more content…
The Endangered Species Act was created to help save the endangered and threatened species and help their ecosystems. Basically, its purpose is to slow down the extinction rate. Created on December 28, 1973 by Congress, this act protects about 2270 species of animals and plants and helps many ecosystems. This act was signed by the president of the time, Richard Nixon. A species being endangered means that the species is likely to go extinct without help. A species being threatened means that the species could soon become and endangered species without help. The Endangered Species Act is important because it protects the animals we have
The Endangered American Wilderness Act, today, protects America’s wilderness areas. Mr. Carter was concerned about the population growth spilling over into the nation’s wilderness population. At the time, strip mining and logging had resulted in already endangered wilderness areas. The act was introduced, in large part, for the generations to come, so that they may enjoy America’s wilderness.
Not many people understand the seriousness of endangered species. Some sources go as far as trying to prove that the act does more harm than good. They do not realize how drastically their lives can be changed if one part of the food chain is taken away. In the essay “Why the Beaver Should Thank the Wolf” by Mary Hannibal, the essayist explains that a group of environmental nonprofits would challenge the federal government’s removal of Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in Wyoming. Hannibal does not explain the Endangered Species Act, but according to the The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration it “provides for the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of
Do you enjoy going to local lakes or rivers, to do things like fish, swim, or just hang out. Well here in Arkansas we have plenty of those. Most of these places have dams to help with water control, create jobs, and bring in tourist. In tennessee they were trying to construct the tellico dam which got quickly turned away by Endangered Species Act of 1973.(ESA) Is a law that protects a good 1,200 species of animals from dying out. For instance the Snail Darter. In 1973 after construction of the Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River had already begun. Congress passed the ESA. On this list there was a little fish the Snail Darter. Controversy broke out. The Snail Darter’s habitat would be destroyed if construction continued. So it
It’s no secret that animals face many dangers in the world. Some suffer more than others. The Endangered Species Act was proposed by congress in 1973 to help protect these suffering animals (Washington Post). Many species, like the Grizzly bear, have been on that list for decades. Grizzly bears were listed as a threatened species, ready to go extinct, in 1975 (Brown Bear).
Since earth was created, there has been a natural phenomenon of species across the globe appearing and disappearing. However, in the past century, many species of animals have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Mainly, this rapidly occurring issue is caused by humans. Humans that contribute to the harmful actions that cause side effects such a pollution, deforestation, habitat loss and poaching. The natural rate of extinction pales in comparison to the extinction rate caused by all of these. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the current rate of extinction is 11,000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Several different efforts have been made in order to stop or slow down the extinction of earth’s species. The Endangered Species Act is possibly the most successful example of these efforts. It’s main purpose is to get a commitment from the American people that they will work hand in hand to help save species that are at risk of becoming extinct and never returning. This act was put in place in 1973 and since then, no other law about the disappearance of wildlife has been quite as accomplished. Many different species that are protected under this law are either fully recovered or on their way to becoming safer. Laws like these are helping many different creatures left and right, however, at the alarming rate that they are disappearing, something else needs to be done. What people don’t seem to realize is that we depend on many of the animals that we are
After reviewing the video and reading the insert regarding the background of the snail dart case, I feel that based upon the evidence thereof human needs and economic interest take precedence over preservation of biodiversity. Conversely, I can see on both sides what the main point would be. However, human life can and will always be declared as the more important species compared to any species with no monetary or frivolous value. Nevertheless, I must say that I do not agree with the TVA when they completed the work of the dam, destroying the entire then-known snail darter habitat. All species should be protected under the ESA protection, whether small, slimy, large, or hairy.
Would you wipe the last existing members of an animal species off the face of the Earth? Perhaps, you would in order to grade a field for a mall parking lot. Believe it or not individuals and industries alike would not think twice about this inhumane act. In the early 1900’s an alarming rate of species started to become scarcely extinct. Endangered Species Act, was passed by Congress and became law in 1973. It is one of several federal laws such as the Lacey Act, the Bird Treaty Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Bald Eagle Protection Act, but it is the most important one by far (Sherry, 9). The Endangered Species Act was developed for many (change) reasons. In the mid sixties Congress started to notice that the country was rapidly(change)
The Endangered Species Act is designed to prevent the extinction of the wolf and to manage the growth of the population now and in the future. Once the wolf population has recovered, it is up to us and the states to manage the recovery of the animals. It is up to everyone to protect the wolf and continue to manage the population for future generations.
Maryann Mott states “critics argue that recovery of only 15 animals...indicates failure”. These critics fail to realize is that the number of recovered species is “not a good measure of the acts effectiveness” (Mott 1). Statistics like this “tell only part of the story”(Jacobson 1). The best way to know if the act works is the “population increase over time” (“Groups cite successes of Endangered Species Act” 1). Many of the species on the list have not been taken off but they still show “significant progress” (“Groups cite successes of Endangered Species Act” 1) in population growth.
It is up for debate as to whether the ESA is effective as is, or should be modified. Some believe that it has not been very effective since only 1% of species listed have been delisted. I am thankful that we have the ESA in place even if fewer species than expected have been saved. Without it, none would have been saved and far more would have gone extinct. Even though the ESA focuses on endangered species and their habitats, there are countless other species (endangered or not) that have been protected by
A world without animals is a scary thought. There are many animals that will become extinct and many that are endangered. The Endangered Species Act is a good thing because it has provided a set way in helping to protect different species. The Endangered Species Act was signed by past president Richard Nixon, and it was passed with 99% support from Congress. They wanted to protect different species no matter what. Between 40%-50% of endangered species in the U.S. have made improvement, but others are moving toward extinction. The law has helped in the rebirth of 36 species, but a similar number has disappeared. The mixed record on restoration and the impact it has on business has turned the ESA into a one-sided playing field (Male). There are ways humans contribute to species of endangerment by destroying habitats, the introduction of exotic species and hunting. Natural causes such as global warming are another factor that has contributed to species endangerment. The Endangered Species Act has helped to save animals such as the american alligator, the bald eagle, grizzly bears and many others. It is used to prohibit the hunting of these animals. The Endangered Species Act has some negative impacts so there are people who are in support of the while others are not. It could be more effectively enforced by encouraging people to minimize harm to animals and to participate in recovery projects. These recovery projects are being used to help protect endangered species. The
The Act provides numerous conservation resources to help states, tribes, and private landowners. Since it was signed into law the Endangered Species Act has afforded protection to more than 1,500 species in the United States. Millions of acres of forests, beaches, and
An endangered species is a species that is most likely to become extinct in the future. Just like being listed under the Endangered Species Act, or any act or treaty, is beneficial because you are protected by the government by law, it also has some downfall to it. Being a species listed under these acts is going to make you the main target for hunting. There are many endangered species all around the world but if we have to pick an important one, it would be the Sea Otter. The Sea Otter is, what we call, a keystone species because it helps maintain balance in their ecosystem. Sea Otters can be on land but they mostly spend their time in the ocean, where they live off of sea urchins. Sea urchins reproduce quickly and they feed off of the kelp forest,
The bald eagle is the most well known endangered species because it is the nation's symbol. It is suppose to stand for freedom and the American way, but if we allow the bald eagle to become extinct how can we let something that doesn't exist anymore stand for freedom and the American way. Being the symbol of the nation, the bald eagle was put on the endangered species list faster than most species. When the bald eagle reached its low point in the 1960's (400 pairs), it was put on the endangered species list. The many federal acts or programs, the "Endangered Species Act" being the most effective, that were created for the bald eagle show how much the government cares about the symbol of our
Species that are considered to be near extinction throughout either a portion or all of it habit range are considered endangered. Species that are considered to become endangered in the future throughout a portion or all of it habitat range are considered threatened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service share the task of administering the ESA. Species that live in marine environments fall under the National Marine Fisheries Service and species that live on land environment fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The importation and exportation of endangered species is overseen by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (How does a species get listed as an endangered or threatened species?) Other key aspects of the act included funding for the land acquisition, prohibited federals agencies from actions that would jeopardize listed species and their habitats, and prohibited the taking of endangered species and special regulation for threatened species in regards to taking. (A History of the Endangered Species Act of