Lay of the Land

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Beaver Backlash

In April the National Park Service removed a family of beavers that was gnawing down the cherry trees surrounding Washington, D.C.'s famed Tidal Basin. Coming to the rodents' defense was Representative Helen Chenoweth, Idaho Republican and persistent critic of the Endangered Species Act. Chenoweth petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the hitherto unrecognized subspecies of "Tidal Basin Beaver" under the ESA.

"Although the family may have damaged some Japanese cherry blossom trees," wrote Chenoweth, "this is no different than the economic disruption caused by [the] Gray Wolf's property destruction happening in Idaho....Species found inside the Washington, D.C., beltway should enjoy no less protection than those in the West."

In fact, the "economic disruption" caused by wolves in Idaho amounts to $15,801 in lost livestock‹all of which was reimbursed by Defenders of Wildlife. No offer yet from Chenoweth to replace the fallen cherry trees.—Paul Rauber

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