Army's commitment to endangered species unparalleled

[wackychick]

On May 16, 2008, Endangered Species Day, America celebrates its endangered species success stories. From American icons like the bald eagle and the gray wolf to lesser known frogs, tortoises and birds, several of those successes are built on the strength of Army environmental programs.

Per acre, the Department of Defense has more threatened and endangered species on its lands than any other federal agency. The Army is home to more than 170 of the 1,800 species listed as threatened and endangered in America on approximately 100 different installations. As a federal agency, the Army complies with the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to protect the federally listed threatened and endangered species on its lands. The Army has devoted in excess of 40 million dollars to the conservation of endangered species on its property.

"Of course, lands on Army installation are intended to support training operations and weapons testing," said Jay Rubinoff, a wildlife biologist at the Army Environmental Command. "But, by their nature, these lands are protected from growing populations and community development. As a consequence, these areas have become, in many instances, some of the country's last remaining large undeveloped land areas, islands of biodiversity, with significant animal and plant life."

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