The pigs at the trough are at it again.

Wildlife scientists feeling heat
Species-protection data suppressed, many report
Zachary Coile, Chronicle Washington Bureau

Thursday, February 10, 2005


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Washington -- Scientists in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say
they've been forced to alter or withhold findings that would have led
to greater protections for endangered species, according to a survey
released Wednesday by two environmental groups.

The scientists charge that top regional and national officials in the
agency suppressed scientific information to avoid confrontations with
industry groups or to follow the Bush administration's political
policies.

The mail-in survey by the Union of Concerned Scientists and Public
Employees for Environmental Responsibility -- which drew responses from
414 of 1,400 biologists, ecologists, botanists and other scientists --
was not a scientific poll. But the two groups said the large number of
responses reflect concern by of many Fish and Wildlife Service
employees that political appointees are inappropriately influencing the
science that drives decisions to list species and protect their
habitat.

A spokesman for the agency said he could not comment on the report
until agency officials have had time to review it.

But an Interior Department official said the survey results reflect the
natural tension between agency scientists and managers in making tough
decisions about protecting species.