OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

By: Ron Estes
By: Ron Estes
Date: July 18, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Animals and Wildlife

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Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support amendment No. 62 to H.R. 6147. This amendment modernizes the Endangered Species Act and recognizes voluntary conservation efforts to protect the lesser prairie chicken.

In 2015, the species native to western Kansas was inaccurately listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to a multiyear drought. Since then, Kansas farmers and ranchers have devoted millions of dollars toward successful conservation through a range-wide plan. This along with increased rainfall has led to an increase in the lesser prairie chicken population.

However, recently, the push to list the species as endangered was restarted, disregarding these voluntary efforts. I am glad this amendment recognizes the private conservation efforts toward the lesser prairie chicken. I cosponsored a similar measure in the farm bill, and I appreciate Representatives Pearce and Marshall for offering this amendment. I ask my colleagues to support it.

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