Yakima Times

Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), alongside House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), introduced the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Amendments Act, proposing reforms to protect landowner rights, incentivize conservation, and increase transparency in species recovery and de-listing processes.

This legislation is a policy proposal from the ESA Working Group co-founded by Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse and Chairman Bruce Westerman in July 2023.

“In the fifty years since its enactment, the Endangered Species Act has overwhelmingly failed in its mission to recover vulnerable species,” said Rep. Newhouse.

Newhouse continues, “In order to ensure that reforms to the ESA work for our species while also ending abuse of the law by anti-development activists, the Congressional Western Caucus and House Natural Resources Committee created the ‘ESA Working Group’ to propose solutions after hearing feedback from subject matter experts. The ESA Amendments Act is the result of this group, and I’m proud to introduce the bill along with Chairman Westerman. This bill will help recover species while allowing rural America to prosper.”

“We can all agree that America’s rich biodiversity needs to be conserved for generations to come,” said Rep. Westerman.

Westerman continues, “However, while initially well-intentioned, radical environmentalists have weaponized the Endangered Species Act to the point where the current law has patently failed to achieve its goals for species recovery. With the modernizing legislation we’re introducing today, we will make long-overdue reforms to the ESA and ensure the continued abundance of America's wildlife.”

“It is beyond clear that the Endangered Species Act is broken,” said Rep. Stauber.

Stauber continues,“A half-century after being signed into law, very few species listed as threatened or endangered have ever made it off the list. And whether it be the Gray Wolf or the Northern Long-Eared Bat, Minnesotans are facing consequences of a broken ESA every day. I am proud to join Chairmen Westerman and Newhouse in introducing the ESA Amendments Act, which will make commonsense reforms to close loopholes that activist judges and radical environmentalists have abused.”

“Over the last 50 years, instead of celebrating recovery success stories it has been weaponized for political activism,” said Rep. Tiffany.

Tiffany continues,“The ESA Amendments Act is much-needed legislation giving states more management control ensuring animals like gray wolves are removed from federal endangered lists once their recovery goals are met."

“Back in July," noted Rep Bentz "the Subcommittee on Water Wildlife Fisheries discussed bills addressing Republican efforts combatting Nutria infestation reauthorizing U.S Fish Wildlife Service conservation programs.”

Bentz continues,“These measures strengthen transparency improve species recovery efforts responding recent Supreme Court rulings Chevron Congress must continue enacting reforms protecting communities safeguarding natural environment”

“For far too long federal government has made listing decisions based secret pseudo-science including studies without peer-review underlying data”said Rep Gosar

Gosar continues “Even more troubling attorneys making millions dollars frivolous lawsuits associated with Endangered Species Act yet federal government doesn’t know how much money paid out The Endangered Species Amendments Act makes commonsense changes increasing transparency saving taxpayer money ensuring local involvement limiting hourly rate attorneys charge taxpayers lawsuits requiring federal government make available Congress public any data uses determining which species list endangered”

“I am proud cosponsor vote favor ESA Amendments Act" said Rep Hageman

Hageman continues “States not federal government know best manage species ensure their recovery Allowing states develop submit own strategies requiring agencies establish objective incremental goals threatened decreasing overly stringent regulations combined limiting judicial review during five year period allow more delisted when goals met Had already place Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly surpassed years ago would already delisted”

Original co-sponsors include Reps Pete Stauber MN-08 Tom Tiffany WI-07 Cliff Bentz OR-02 Jeff Duncan SC-03 Paul Gosar AZ-09 Harriet Hageman WY-AL

Background:

This legislation:

Incentivizes wildlife conservation on private lands.

Prevents Secretary Interior designating privately owned controlled critical habitat protecting landowners rights

Empowers states enact plans state local officials know best manage populations without harming communities

Requires removal not subject judicial review

Creates greater transparency accountability recovering listed

Appropriations authorizing number $431755000 total authorized House FY25 bills Fish Wildlife Service National Marine Fisheries Service NMFS activities

Full bill text can be found here

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