BIOTA AND BUSINESS - OPPOSING FORCES

There is a trend in environmental regulation, traditionally driven by human health concerns, towards increased sensitivity to ecological concerns. At the center of concern for the ecology is the Endangered Species Act, which requires federal agencies to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service before undertaking any action authorized, funded or carried out by the federal agency. This paper discusses the perspective of the regulated community on the increasingly active role the Fish and Wildlife Service is playing in regulatory activities such as water quality permitting.