A modest proposal for protection of threatened species (Agricola americanus)

The News-Review ^ | June 13, 2010 | Richard Packham

[jazusamo]

At the present time the federal government has listed 2,269 species on the official “endangered or threatened” species list. The list includes plants, insects, mammals, birds, crustaceans and anything alive that is facing an uncertain future as a species, through no fault of its own.

To be listed, and thus given special protection and benefits, a species must be diminishing in numbers, whether due to problems in reproducing, to diminishing habitat, encroachment by other species, predation, changes in environment or other threats to its survival.

The specific benefit to us in protecting a specific species seems to be irrelevant. That the world and civilization would probably not collapse if the caddo madtom (an Arkansas fish) or the helotes mold beetle (in Texas) or even the gray wolf (in several states) were to become extinct does not prevent the listing and protection of a species.

Protecting species who are natural enemies of each other opens up morally gray areas. By protecting the sea lion, the danger to the protected salmon is increased. And why protect species that prey on humans and domestic animals, such as the cougar or the gray wolf?

I have also wondered how the federal government got the power to protect these things. I am told that it is based on the constitutional provision authorizing it to “regulate interstate commerce.” I guess I'm dense, but I don't see what the Santa Ana sucker (in California) has to do with interstate commerce.

In examining the entire list of endangered or protected species (at http://earthsendangered.com/unitedstates.asp) I notice one that has not been given any protection at all, even though severely threatened: the agricola americanus. It seems to me that this species certainly qualifies as much as many of those on the list. Its common name is “American farmer or rancher.”

The numbers of this species are certainly dramatically decreasing. Only a few decades ago it constituted 20 percent of the American population. It is now hovering around 2 percent. Its habitat is shrinking as a result of encroaching urbanization. Large areas of former habitat are now covered with tract homes and shopping malls, especially in the more naturally suitable areas, such as California's Central and Sacramento Valleys, Orange County, even areas here in Oregon.

A subspecies, the pirum

productor oregoniensis (Oregon pear grower) whose natural habitat is in the southern part of this state and along the Columbia River, is actually threatened by well-intentioned efforts by the state to protect it. State land use laws require the habitat to be preserved for pears, meaning that the growers are prevented economically from selling the land to move to areas away from the encroaching urbanization.

Reproduction of the agricola species is slowing drastically. Offspring often leave the habitat, abandoning the parents and the home territory, and interbreed with other species. Predation is increasing, sometimes from species which are actually protected, such as the wolf and the cougar, which attack the sources of the species' sustenance.

Even hostility toward the species is growing, since it is seen by many to be harmful to the environment and wasteful of natural resources. Such animosity is short-sighted, however, since, unlike the crystal siltsnail or the oval pigtoe clam, agricola americanus provides the major part of this nation's food. This fact needs more public exposure. Too many Americans think that the food comes from the grocery store, and that the store gets it from a factory.

Agricola americanus can be grateful, however, for a fortuitous circumstance that would have doomed not only that species, but a number of related species, probably including homo sapiens. And that is the fact that there was no Endangered Species Act before the dinosaurs became extinct. Tyrannosaurus rex would surely have been on the protected list, as well as many others.

What would Oregon look like today, if we had to avoid the occasional protected pterodactyl or brontosaurus?

Richard Packham is a retired college professor and attorney who moved with his wife and son in 1990 from San Francisco to the Dixonville area, where they raise cattle and timber.

[jazusamo]

Ping!

[george76]

’ regulate interstate commerce ‘ was to make commerce regular...not what these progressives dream of

[jazusamo]

Yep, progressives twist the interstate commerce clause to enable them to enact any whim of a law they come up with.

[GregoryFul]

If you interfere with any of these 2269 species you risk a felony charge - you had better know how to identify each and every one, and make sure you steer clear.

[jazusamo]

All too true...This list has gotten completely out of control thanks in a large part to the enviro nazis.

[SunkenCiv]

Its common name is "American farmer or rancher."

Thanks jazusamo.

[bigheadfred]

Apropos of nothing, when the guy doing the aerial spraying of a certain pesticide on the potato fields of the farm I used to work on was asked “How can you tell if you get a dose of that?”, he simply said, “ You stop breathing”...

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[Flycatcher]

Thanks for the ping, Jaz!

Excellent piece.

In the environmentalist's zealous and misguided effort to "protect" that which he loves, he in fact threatens that which he is -- human.

By the way, I just got back from another 10 days out in the field (started back in mid-April). On this 10-day stint, I surveyed parts of the Sierra Nevada near Bridgeport, and got American dipper, calliope hummingbird, northern goshawk, and sooty grouse, among other great birds.

And best of all, three out of the seven bird surveyors (including myself) are conservatives.

Maybe there's hope for this crowd! LOL!

[jazusamo]

Thanks, Fly. I thought it was pretty good being it was written by a retired professor from the San Francisco area. LOL!

When I lived in So CA I made many trips to the Sierras to fish and just camp out and enjoy the country, the Bridgeport area is fantastically beautiful.

Three out of seven being conservatives is almost unbelievable! :-)

[Flycatcher]

Three out of seven being conservatives is almost unbelievable! :-)

And I'm slowly working for a fourth conservative. A young Chico State grad keeps spouting the liberal line, but whenever I (privately and respectfully) represent the conservative position to her, she seems to listen and often agrees.

It strikes me that these young grads have been brainwashed, but it is possible to show them the light. They respect me (I'm the best birder by far of the group of surveyors) so they actually seem to listen to me when we talk privately about political subjects.

Of course, they might just be humoring me -- for some, I'm old enough to be their dad! LOL!