Endangered Species: Political assault

Canada lynx is one of the species that could benefit from an agency review of politically influenced decisions that disregarded important critical habitat for the wild cat.

Even as it admits inappropriate political influence ruined seven endangered species decisions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is resolutely endeavoring to ignore the skewing of science, law and policy in decisions involving Northwest species. The public deserves a wider review of tainted decision-making.

To its credit, the agency last week said it would reconsider findings in the seven cases where a former top official, Julie MacDonald, twisted the science. Congress can help with additional money.

But the seven are a pitifully small sampling of the cases where the ideologically driven MacDonald set up industry to ravage wildlife habitat....