
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 12, 1994                   TAG: 9407220057
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SYMBOLIC SUCCESS

IT'S BACK! The majestic bald eagle, soaring symbol of American patriotism and courage since 1782, was nearly wiped out by the now-banned DDT insecticide that poisoned its food chain and rendered the species almost totally sterile.

Now eagles are flying again: nearly 8,000 of them in the lower 48 states, up from fewer than 800 25 years ago.

Virginia alone has seen a fivefold increase in known nesting pairs - from about 30 in 1970 to 150 today, according to Ed Clark, director of the Wildlife Center of Virginia at Weyers Cave.

With the dramatic increase in the adult population, the Interior Department now proposes removing the eagle from the endangered-species list. The famous bird would, however, remain under federal protection in the "threatened" category - as it should.

That the eagle has been pulled back from the brink of extinction is an important success story for U.S. policy, and testimony to Americans' concern for the creature. But the eagle's long-term recovery is still fragile, and care must be taken not to reverse the gains.

Environmentalists worry that the eagle's removal from the rolls of endangered species may be misinterpreted to give full-speed-ahead to projects that could threaten the birds again. One cited development, replete with helicopter pads and boat landings, has been proposed for land near a wetlands refuge in Eastern Virginia. The refuge is the favorite roosting spot for eagles up and down the East Coast.

Of course, care must be taken, too, not to perceive the Endangered Species Act and other legislation as existing only to save animals with which Americans can identify - such as bald eagles.

Environmentalists are quick to cite this success story because the symbol of our nation arouses more sympathy than, say, a snail darter. But the Endangered Species Act has effects beyond saving species. It should be held accountable - and open to criticism - for the full range of its impacts. This includes occasions when species-protection is a tool wielded to further other agendas.

Which is not to say the act shouldn't be reauthorized, with greater emphasis on protecting ecosystems rather than species. It needs to be. Nor is this to argue that the so-called "takings" movement, aimed at destroying environmental protection in the name of personal-property rights, should not be regarded with scepticism. It should be. The public simply needs to sift carefully the claims of all sides.

Meantime, Americans can only rejoice at the eagle's rebound. They should know, too, that it's too early to declare victory and throw caution to the wind. For a wing and a prayer, the great bird's long-term endurance may still depend on federal protection.

by CNB