As we celebrate the nation’s birthday on the Fourth of July, we also have the opportunity to contemplate what many consider a wonderful American success story, the delisting of the bald eagle from the endangered species list.

The delisting of the American bald eagle appears to be an Endangered Species Act success story. The Endangered Species Act is a safety net for wildlife, plants and fish that are on the brink of extinction. This safety net now allows Americans in all 48 continental states and the District of Columbia, including Maine, to enjoy the magnificent sight of an eagle soaring overhead.

However, at the same time that the Bush administration is touting this great American success story, they are systematically working to rip a hole in the safety net that allowed our nation’s symbol to recover. The director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Dale Hall, has stated that the service is working on regulations that would change the way the act is used.

These changes may severely weaken our nation’s safety net for fish, wildlife and plants on the brink of extinction. In addition, many species, including the wolf, are proposed for de-listing when strong evidence indicates they have not recovered in any real substantial way within their historic ranges. Also, if these species are delisted, they will fall under the jurisdiction of the individual states, which in the case of the wolf, for example, have stated a sworn hatred and have vowed to eradicate the wolf by any and all means.

Congress and the American public must ensure that the Endangered Species Act remains strong. We must oppose any attempts by the Bush administration to weaken the act. We owe it to our children and grandchildren and the future generations to be good stewards of the environment and leave behind a legacy of protecting endangered species and the special places they call home.

Marie Louise Morandi Long Zwicker

Sullivan