[20020716]RS21264_《濒危物种法》和“健全科学”.pdf

1 Pub. L. No. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.2 Section 3(3), 16 U.S.C. 1532.3 Section 2(b), 16 U.S.C. 1531(b).4 See, e.g. CRS Report RL31098, Klamath River Basin Issues: An Overview of Water UseConflicts, which discusses the conflicts over water use in that area.5 See Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill, 437 U.S. 153 (1978).Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21264July 16, 2002The Endangered Species Act and “Sound Science”Pamela BaldwinLegislative AttorneyAmerican Law DivisionM. Lynne CornSpecialist in Natural Resources PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryThe Endangered Species Act is a strong statute enacted to save and recoverdwindling species. Decisions to list species are to rest only on the best availablescientific data, and science plays a part in other important aspects of the Act. Yet manytimes the best available science may be sketchy. Recent situations involving economicand social conflicts over resources have resulted in a renewed focus on the use ofscience under the ESA and several proposals are before Congress. This report providesbackground on the issues and