The Bush Administration slows down the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with another controversial decision, despite the agency’s good results in the past few years.

Nowadays, all federal agencies are forced to consult the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration before taking any actions which might affect the endangered species, but with the Endangered Species Act changed by the Bush Administration in August, things could turn out badly for the EPA. This act will restrain the Environmental Protection Agency’s rights to intervene there where only the financial interests rule.

Since 1973 when the Endangered Species Act was elaborated, all federal agencies had to wait for EPA’s go to complete their projects, including the constructions of highways and dams. As a result, animals such as the gray whale, the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon were taken off the endangered species list due to the more caring protection. But still, the White House decided that federal agencies can now evaluate themselves whether their actions pose a threat to the environment or not, disregarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s opinion. This will most certainly increase the commercial development but the changes could affect the protection of wildlife, according to some environmentalists.

The Bush Administration tried to change the Endangered Species Act in the past as well but the Congress chose not to apply these changes. However, the new regulations do not require the approval of the Congress, so the Bush Administration might have just had the last word.

In case this proves to be a bad decision, the up-coming administration could change it all back, but due to the procedures, it may take months or even years. Hopefully, the endangered species will resist longer than that.