The department's stance angered western lawmakers, whose constituents often face enormous restrictions on land where similar wildlife is found. "It appears Washington, D.C., gets a special exemption when it comes to species protection," said Senator Larry E. Craig (R-ID). "In Washington 'nimby' means: no endangered species in my backyard."
The University of California has had to relocate its proposed Merced campus two miles away from its original site and is spending millions of dollars on lawyers and environmental consultants to avoid harming fairy shrimp in vernal pools.
