Economic Study Before Critical Habitat?

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Supervisors voted today to send letters of support for federal legislation that would require an economic impact study to be done before designating critical habitat related to the Endangered Species Act.

This type of study would be required under Senate Bill 2729 and House Bill 4319. District Five Supervisor Karl Rodefer stated, “This is the first time we are going to require the United States government, through legislation, to actually measure the impact on humanity of some of the things that they do in the name of some other species, and other issues.”

The county’s letters of support will be sent to Congressman Tom McClintock, House Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings, and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

It was approved by the Board of Supervisors with a 5-0 vote. The issue created heightened interest recently when the federal government proposed designating habitat in the region for the Sierra Nevada Yellow Legged Frog and the Yosemite Toad.