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I have simply stated my opinion...is my opinion any less valid than yours?
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Well if you want people to take your opinion seriously, you need to defend it convincingly. Your original defense was logically invalid because of two false premises.
If you'd like to make a new argument, feel free.
BTW, here are the current protection plans for the woodpecker. There is nothing in here that would involve the government taking private property against the will of the owner.
The only restriction on private property is the usual one involving endangered animals: namley, it is illegal to kill them even if they are on your property. I don't consider that an outrageous infringement of anybody's property rights.
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The Interior Department, along with the Department of Agriculture, has proposed that more than $10 million in federal funds be committed to protect the bird. This amount would supplement $10 million already committed to research and habitat protection efforts by private sector groups and citizens, an amount expected to grow once news of the rediscovery spreads. Federal funds will be used for research and monitoring, recovery planning and public education. In addition, the funds will be used to enhance law enforcement and conserve habitat through conservation easements, safe-harbor agreements and conservation reserves.
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The Corridor of Hope and recovery teams have nine assignments. They will:
* Help develop and implement plans for local citizens to participate in writing a recovery plan that maintains historic public uses of land while protecting the bird’s habitat.
* Provide information for the consultation process required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act to ensure that actions by federal agencies conserve endangered species.
* Provide information to private landowners on the voluntary conservation activities provided for in Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act.
* Help develop and implement plans to manage visitor access. Response to the rediscovery is expected to trigger increased interest from bird enthusiasts and researchers. The conservation team will carefully evaluate management actions for public access to ensure opportunities to see the areas where the bird has been sighted and to facilitate research without jeopardizing its survival.
* Recommend to Secretary Norton others from local, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, conservation groups hunting and fishing groups as well as private landowners who should be included in the recovery planning effort.
* Make recommendations for habitat that needs to be conserved through conservation easements, safe harbor agreements, purchase from willing sellers or other means.
* Help develop research and monitoring protocols. The recovery team will also reexamine previous credible reports of sightings in its historic range over the last few decades.
* Develop recommendations for the best use of federal funds being allocated to aid the bird’s recovery, utilize the Cooperative Agreement with the State of Arkansas under section 6 of the Endangered Species Act and work with private partners to integrate federal funds with private funds as part of an overall recovery plan.
* Develop effective communications tools, including the Internet, to inform bird enthusiasts, hunters, anglers, and others about significant developments related to the presence of this bird and its ultimate recovery.
The conservation efforts to be established for the benefit of the Ivory-billed woodpecker will emphasize working with local citizens and private landowners. The Interior Department will invite them to help develop the multi-year recovery plan that maintains historic public uses of land while protecting the bird’s habitat.
The recovery plan will adjust to emerging knowledge of these rare birds, their activities and habitat. Priority will be placed on developing a long-term plan that integrates federal, state, local and private resources. Recovery efforts will utilize partnerships, safe harbor agreements, easements and land purchases from willing sellers.
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/news/2005/r05-029.html
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