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Govs urge endangered species changes

LA JOLLA, Calif., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Western governors Saturday urged Congress to change to the Endangered Species Act and make the complex law less of a strain on private landowners.

Delegates to the Western Governors' Association summit in Southern California agreed that the law did not require a wholesale rewrite; however changes were needed to increase public participation and beef up the scientific data used to place animals on the endangered species list.

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The WGA's resolution came on the heels of reports that the western sage grouse would likely not be named an endangered species later this month, a move that has relieved ranchers but raised alarm among some environmentalists wo fear the government data may have been ignored by Bush administration appointees.

The governors nevertheless said the grouse decision proved that cooperation and voluntary actions by landowners can produce plans that protect wildlife before it becomes necessary to list them as endangered.

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