On Feb 24, 2:11*pm, wrote:
On Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:37:53 -0800, "nom=de=plume"



wrote:
"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:46:35 -0800, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

The manatees are listed as endangered by the ESA. There are thought to be
fewer than 2000. Even if they weren't, why not protect them, since they
can't outrun the boats or dive deep enough. Does it really threaten your
"freedom" to slow down and look where you're going? (Not you
specifically....)

This is probably an exercise in futility but I'll give it one try.
Manatees are listed as endangered only because of the high powered
lobbying efforts of the well funded Save The Manatee Club. STMC
members have donated millions of dollars and the club feels an
obligation to spend that money lobbying for new regulations, needed or
not. * Most places in South Florida have enough Manatees that they are
at risk of over breeding their habitat.

How would youfeel about a 5 mph speed limit on your local highway to
prevent the risk of road kill?

So, the number they gave of about 2000 is wrong? If so, then you must have a
number you can point to? At some point, someone has to make a determination
about if a species is endangered or not. It's currently the ESA. The claim
was they they don't list them, but they do.

I brake for lots of creatures, but a highway is a bit different than on the
water. I don't want to get in a wreck over a squirrel.

http://www.news-press.com/article/20...028/Huge-numbe...

Bear in mind this is just the ones they can see, in the places they
looked. Usually people without an axe to grind will double that number
for a real count for any given area and then you have to just wild
assed guess about the areas you don't survey.

They usually count in the winter when the "natural" population moves
south, out of the US waters so they are really only counting the
domesticated ones around the power plants.

The ESA is usually just being used as a "tool" to stop development
around here. I don't really have a problem with that because there are
too many people here now but I do agree with people who say it is
dishonest.
They had used the manatee to stop dock construction but the state got
sued for a "taking" and they quietly backed off. That is much like the
Reahard case that severely limited "taking" wetlands without just
compensation. If that was more publically known I am sure there are
lots of people who would be suing over rezonings.
That one cost Lee County $22 million for 40 acres a guy couldn't
develop.
We have had quite a few cases like that around here that redefined the
government's power but they don't seem to be well known outside this
area. We had an indian who proved there was no such thing as a Florida
Panther with DNA but the government folded up their briefcases and
settled before that went to a decision.

They dont' look very endangered to me. They look more like pets...


http://www.treehugger.com/manatee-sy...rida-photo.jpg