Are Federal Regulations only for the Public?
We have discussed the way that governmental agencies are run and how at times they make the laws for others and disregard them for themselves. However, they have finally done something that they cannot back out of and create new rules for themselves. Federal agencies have been disregarding the ESA. This article discusses the great effects on the Potomac River system. The Endangered Species Act is a very controversial piece of legislature, and through it many strong opinions have been raised. The ESA was created to help protect species from extinction. I know that most government agencies are trying to create the best situations and help people, however, when stories like this come up I have to wonder if anyone really cares about anything but their own goals and images.
posted by Anonymous @ 6:24 PM
2 Comments:
As has been discussed so many times in class it all comes down to incentives. For politicians one of their main incentives is to get votes. If helping people while harming animals gets them re-elected they may be more prone to do this.
Also, if the law isn't being enforced then the wildlife(yes, even those poor animals going extinct) turns into a commons. A politician in D.C. doesn't have to internalize the externalities of hurting nature.
The only solution, as I see it, is a clear set of property rights over the endangered animal that gives a person or an organization the opportuinity to closely monitor the saving of these animals.
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