Endangered Species Protection and Water Resource Development

摘要

The Endangered Species Act and its implementation are reviewed, with special attention given to the Act's recent Amendments. This Act has played a major role in litigation surrounding several recent water resource developments. A case study of one such, the Missouri Basin Power Project, is discussed. In addition to a short case history, issues covered include the following: the link between the Power Project and its impact on the endangered species, its effect on the distribution of water resurces, its effect on future development on the Platte River, and the extent to which a range of preservation options can be considered under the Act. Tentative general conclusions will be drawn concerning the flexibility of the Act, its cost effectiveness, and its implications for future water resource development. (ERA citation 05:025972)