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Contact: Associated Press


Pearce-led panel pans endangered species act

Carlsbad , Jun 8 -

The Endangered Species Act drew heavy criticism during a US House Committee on Resources hearing in Carlsbad.

Representative Steve Pearce and California Representative Richard Pombo presided over the Monday hearing to examine the impacts of the Endangered Species Act on southern New Mexico.

However, environmentalists says the Republican-led hearing was one-sided.

Six Carlsbad residents who are critical of the burdens the act has placed on agriculture, timber and the oil and gas industries were asked to testify.

The other witness was state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Secretary Joanna Prukop, who says the act is protecting wildlife.

New Mexico Wilderness Alliance director Stephen Capra says the committee only wanted to hear from those against the Endangered Species Act.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)