An Associated Press (AP) analysis revealed that roughly two-thirds of funding for endangered and threatened species listed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) goes towards two fish species. In contrast, other species receive little to no funding.
The analysis was released on the 50th anniversary of the passage of the legislation. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ESA currently protects 1,662 U.S. species and 638 foreign species from threats such as habitat loss and climate change.
AP found that of the approximately $1.2 billion allocated annually to endangered and threatened species, 67% was spent on the recovery of two fish types: salmon and steelhead trout along the West Coast. Large amounts were also spent on renowned animals like manatees, right whales, grizzly bears and spotted owls.
The analysis revealed 7% of funding was spent on mammals, followed by birds at about 5%, plants at around 2% and insects at 0.5%. The Virginia fringed mountain snail is at the bottom of the spending list, receiving only $100 in 2020. Despite being sighted once in the past 35 years, it surpasses over 200 imperiled plants, animals, fish and others receiving no financial support.
Species drawing no funding included stoneflies threatened by climate change in Montana’s Glacier National Park, the California tiger salamander impacted by development, and flowering plants like the scrub lupine in Orlando, FL, where native habitat has been converted for theme parks.
Some scientists argued in the journal Science that few species have recovered to the point of being delisted from the ESA. The reasons include a shortfall in funding and whether resources prioritize species facing imminent extinction or those with potential long-term benefits.
“For a tiny fraction of the budget going to spotted owls, we could save whole species of cacti that are less charismatic but have an order of magnitude smaller budget,” Leah Gerber, professor of conservation science at Arizona State University, told AP.
AP noted that spending inequities stem from a combination of biological challenges and political influences, which is evident in the costly efforts to restore salmon and steelhead populations constrained by hydroelectric dams. These species enjoy broad political support from Native American Tribes and commercial fishing interests advocating for fisheries restoration. Over the years, Congress has allocated substantial funds to agencies like the Bonneville Power Administration, responsible for dam operations, funding initiatives such as fish ladders, habitat restoration, scientific monitoring and various requirements.
To address the underfunding problem, wildlife officials aim to utilize funds allocated for endangered species in the climate law enacted last year by President Joe Biden. According to AP, $62.5 million is intended to facilitate hiring biologists to develop recovery plans, initially focusing on 32 species and potentially expanding to encompass up to 300 species in the years ahead. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
