Endangered Species Act Reforms Will Benefit The West, Business Leaders Say The Western Business Roundtable today lauded the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service for proposing reforms to the highly troubled Endangered Species Act (ESA). "Reforming the Endangered Species Act has long been a priority of many Westerners who care about the successful recovery of species that are in trouble," the Roundtable said in comments to government. "We applaud the Services for undertaking the challenge of modernizing this key element of ESA. It is important to, among other things, align regulations with recent court decisions and clarify terminology to provide more consistent practices in the field, less confusion for agencies and project proponents, and less of the language ambiguity that so often breeds court battles." Referencing the proposed rule, Roundtable Executive Director Britt Weygandt said the Services' recommended amendments to ESA regulations -- focused specifically on the so-called "Section 7 consultation" process -- make practical changes that will improve the Acts functionality....