Endangered species protection can be made effective—and honest—only if we recognize eight truths ignored by the failing Endangered Species Act. Among them: letting nature take its course isn’t the best way to protect biodiversity; and property owners must be given an interest in protecting sensitive habitat.

Randy Simmons is a Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute, and Professor of Economics at Utah State University.
Energy and the EnvironmentEnvironmental Law and RegulationLaw and LibertyProperty Rights, Land Use, and Zoning
Other Independent Review articles by Randy Simmons
Fall 2015 Tapping Water Markets
Winter 2010/11 Bootleggers, Baptists, and Political Entrepreneurs: Key Players in the Rational Game and Morality Play of Regulatory Politics
Winter 1998/99 The Endangered Species Act: Who’s Saving What?