That is being increasingly recognized, even by mainstream environmental activists. With the implementation details of each case now in the hands of government employees, the science of species listing and recovery is tainted by politics. Since the ESA's goal of preserving our biodiversity enjoys strong public support, we must develop a new way of pursuing it. With appropriate property rights, market mechanisms will protect threatened plants and animals much more efficiently than the current bureaucratic process. Set aside' should not mean outright purchase in most cases.
Most species can co-exist with human activity.
Indeed, they must. There is not enough money or land to provide a refuge for every threatened species. In our Edwards Aquifer-Endangered Species situation, pumpers could be habitat eliminators during severe droughts. An approach analogous to land easements would be to levy a small pumping fee and use the revenue to maintain aquatic habitat. Depending on cost comparisons and conditions, a number of measures could be funded.