PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 19, 2023
In the midst of an extinction crisis, it is completely irresponsible that Rep. Jared Golden would support overturning Endangered Species Act protections for the northern long-eared bat, dooming this species to extinction. President Ronald Reagan signed into law the ESA Amendments of 1982, which made clear that all decisions regarding the listing of species were to be made “solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available.” Whether or not a species is facing extinction is a scientific question only. Northern long-eared bats have declined by up to 99% in the Northeast in less than two decades. The Fish and Wildlife Service listed the bat as endangered last November after finding that its previous “threatened” status was not sufficiently protective. Rep. Golden’s vote was contrary to the best available science and not in line with protecting Maine’s biodiversity. ~ Tara Thornton, Litchfield