White House reconsiders decision on bull trout

The Bush administration is reconsidering its defense of endangered species decisions, following a report that showed political interference in the scientific process. This week, the government informed a federal district court judge that it might amend its position that decisions regarding bull trout habitat were scientifically defensible. “Essentially, they're acknowledging that we were right,” said Arlene Montgomery, “but they haven't figured out exactly how to deal with it.” Back in 2000, Montgomery's nonprofit Friends of the Wild Swan sued the federal government, asking that “critical habitat” be designated for bull trout. The fish were protected under the Endangered Species Act, she said, but no steps were being taken to ensure adequate habitat. Federal officials responded with a critical habitat designation that environmentalists said fell far short of what the fish needed. “It eliminated 90 percent of the proposed habitat,” Montgomery said....