Here's the right thread for my question. I've looked through several websites, but I'm not coming up the answer. This has bothered me for a long time. Here's an example from today's news:

"If they would've said there were lynx there when there wasn't, all that does is initiate more looking to see if there are lynx there," he said. "It wouldn't have caused a whole bunch of area to become lynx habitat."

Never mind that this fellow is the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, and surely has written many a memorandum. My question is limited to his use of "would have." I only know what sounds right and what doesn't, and this use of "would have" sounds like nails on a chalk board. However, I hear it ALL the time (daily?), and even newscasters use the term.

Is it correct?? Is it "American?" (Can it be both?)

Thanks in advance.

Dan