Yakima Times

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Amendments Act of 2024. This bill, introduced by Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04), aims to reform the ESA to promote conservation, protect landowners' rights, and enhance transparency in species recovery.

“The ESA is in dire need of serious changes, and I am thankful that the committee understands that. Our species and landowners have suffered far too long from misuse of the ESA and my bill puts an end to that. If we are to truly prioritize species recovery and de-listing, then we must prioritize advancing this legislation,” said Rep. Newhouse.

Newhouse also expressed gratitude towards House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman for supporting the bill. “I thank House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman for taking up this important bill, and I look forward to working to get it across the finish line,” he added.

The legislation is a result of efforts by the ESA Working Group, co-founded by Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse and Chairman Bruce Westerman in July 2023. The original co-sponsors include Representatives Pete Stauber (MN-08), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), and Harriet Hageman (WY-AL).

Key provisions of the legislation include incentivizing wildlife conservation on private lands, preventing the Secretary of the Interior from designating privately owned or controlled land as critical habitat, empowering states to enact species recovery plans, requiring that removal of a species is not subject to judicial review, and creating greater transparency and accountability in recovering listed species.

The appropriations authorized for these activities amount to $431,755,000 as outlined in House FY25 bills for Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ESA activities.

Full details of the original bill can be found online.