News Alerts Sec'y Locke and Dr. Lubchenco Apologize For Enforcement Wrongdoings; Swartwood Report, Decision Memo released |
Sec'y Locke and Dr. Lubchenco Apologize For Enforcement Wrongdoings; Swartwood Report, Decision Memo released |
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Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced that $649,527 in fisheries enforcement penalties will be returned to 11 individuals or businesses.
WASHINGTON - May 17, 2011 - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco apologized to New England fishermen who were wronged by inappropriate and excessive enforcement actions enacted by NOAA enforcement staff for more than a decade. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced that $649,527 in fisheries enforcement penalties will be returned to 11 individuals or businesses after an independent review of their cases concluded the NOAA enforcement program had in some instances "overstepped the bounds of propriety and fairness." In his decision memo issued today, Secretary Locke acted on 30 cases reviewed by the Special Master, Judge Charles Swartwood III, accepting all of his recommendations that the law allows and taking additional actions in several cases. Secretary Locke appointed Judge Swartwood to conduct the independent review of cases identified by the Department of Commerce's Inspector General as problematic. The individuals and businesses will receive their remittances within 30 days of receipt of payment information. Read the Special Master's Report Read coverage in the Gloucester Times by Richard Gaines Read the Commerce Dept./NOAA press release Read the decision memo See a list of the enforcement reforms. See a timeline of enforcement actions.
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HASTINGS: Time to improve the Endangered Species Act
May 18, 2012 - When the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law in 1973 by President Nixon, he spoke about the importance of preserving “the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.” I believe that goal is as important today as it was back then. However, after nearly 40 years, it’s time to take a fresh, honest look at the law and consider whether there are ways it could be improved to do a better job of protecting and recovering species.
