Actually, (and I'm not trying to pick an argument with you, just clarify)

The USFWS is not charged with protecting our environment. They are charged with protecting native wildlife, its habitat, endangered or threatened species, or species that normally range across state and national borders such as migratory birds (because these species can't really fall under the jurisdiction of any one state). They use the Lacey Act, Migratory Bird Conservation Act, ESA, NEPA, Marine Mammal Protection Act, US Customs regulations, and other acts to carry this out. If someone like the agency in FL petitions them to list a species as injurious because it poses a threat to native wildlife they must consider whether it is a valid request. Before they propose or pass such an action they must request information from the public. That is the purpose of this exercise. It's not that they are not doing research themselves. They must include publicly generated information in addition to their own. I don't know what information sources they have already compiled, but I am sure they have quite a bit. They are giving everyone outside their own agency the chance to inform them. Does that help? I'm sure it seems backwards, but that's not the issue now. Answer their questions and we can all stop this thing.

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