ESA debate returns, now starring a bat and a bird

Republicans are advancing legislation to undo several administration rules.

Lawmakers aired long-standing grievances Tuesday over the Endangered Species Act, in a House subcommittee hearing that remained low-key even as it revisited familiar differences.

Citing impacts on energy production, logging and ranching, Republicans promoted resolutions that would reverse new protection rules for the northern long-eared bat and the lesser prairie chicken. The species were also prompts for broader debate.

“ESA regulations have been used as tools that many times have harmed communities, particularly those in rural communities,” said Rep. Cliff Bentz, chair of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.

"This administration has made matters worse by rewriting regulations on critical habitat and the listing and uplisting of species without appropriate safeguards," the Oregon Republican said.

Subcommittee ranking member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) responded: “How sad that today’s conservatives seem so hostile to conserving wildlife."

Huffman said the resolutions "elevate pure politics over science.”

Drilling down on the specific measures on the hearing agenda, Stephen Guertin, deputy director at the Fish and Wildlife Service, said the Biden administration opposes the resolutions that would roll back protections for the bat and the bird.

“We carefully follow the science,” Guertin said.

Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber authored H.J. Res. 49, one of the measures under consideration

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By:  Michael Doyle
Source: E&E Daily

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