In April the National Park Service removed a family of beavers that was gnawing
down the cherry trees surrounding Washington, D.C.'s famed Tidal Basin. Coming to
the rodents' defense was Representative Helen Chenoweth, Idaho Republican and
persistent critic of the Endangered Species Act. Chenoweth petitioned the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the hitherto unrecognized subspecies of
"Tidal Basin Beaver" under the ESA.
"Although the family may have damaged some Japanese cherry blossom trees," wrote
Chenoweth, "this is no different than the economic disruption caused by [the]
Gray Wolf's property destruction happening in Idaho....Species found inside
the Washington, D.C., beltway should enjoy no less protection than those in the
West."
In fact, the "economic disruption" caused by wolves in Idaho amounts
to $15,801 in lost livestock‹all of which was reimbursed by Defenders of
Wildlife. No offer yet from Chenoweth to replace the fallen cherry
trees.—Paul Rauber
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