The Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005, sponsored by Reps. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, and Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, does just that. It will enhance the ESA by shifting the focus of the act away from unproductive litigation back to its original goal -- the actual recovery of species.

In 2002, when more than 128,000acres of Stanislaus County was proposed as critical habitat for vernal pool species and plants, we were troubled to learn the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had not based its decision on scientific or economic data, but simply on aerial photography.

When pressed, the service acknowledged that it did not seek more accurate information and mapping from our county and other local governments because they were rushing to comply with an unrealistic court-imposed deadline.

Our problems were further compounded when the service used only boilerplate economic analysis to review the economic impact on our county. When pressed as to why they didn't prepare an analysis that was specific to the proposed designation in our region, the response again noted a need to rush to comply with a court order.

Unfortunately, in the haste to meet arbitrary court-imposed deadlines, the service actually designated parking lots and housing subdivisions as critical habitat for fairy shrimp.

Ultimately, the court stepped in. Because of such mistakes, it modified the service's designations. However, the service was sued for a third time and now faces the potential of a fourth round of litigation.

All of this demonstrates that the current act is flawed, as all of this litigation comes at a terrible cost -- to taxpayers, landowners and to endangered species.

The Pombo-Cardoza bill seeks to correct these flaws. Within two years of a species being listed, the bill requires the creation of a detailed recovery plan that outlines specific measures necessary to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. This is a dramatic improvement over the current law, which ties up the service in court fighting deadlines, as species remain on the list without clearly defined recovery goals.

More attention needs to be focused on the recovery of the species. There needs to be greater cooperation between the service, landowners and state and local governments.

The Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act is a sound approach. It makes sense for species preservation and it makes sense for our community.

Grover is chairman of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors.