21.   Davis Lackey, a spokesman for Snowe, said the findings answered a critical scientific question but did not necessarily justify federal protection for the fish.

22.   Democrats say such federal protections would be eliminated by the Republican proposals.

23.   DeVillars and Democratic lawmakers asserted that key federal protections would be imperiled by the reductions.

24.   Each question produced less support for federal protection of the river.

25.   Efforts to pass federal genetic protection legislation, however, have failed.

26.   Even after the bounty was lifted and federal protections were imposed in the United States and Canada, the seals did not rebound right away.

27.   Even museums like the Metropolitan that routinely seek federal protection are disturbed by the subpoena.

28.   Federal patent protection helps brand-name companies recoup some of this money.

29.   Federal protection has become an explosive issue, largely because it removes so much management control at the local and state levels.

30.   Federal protection prohibits the destruction of habitat.