Both U.S. Senators from Kansas have released statements, after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced its proposal to list two population segments of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered and threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) said:
“The Biden administration's proposal to list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act threatens to harm farmers, ranchers, energy producers and rural communities. Kansas and surrounding states invested millions of public and private dollars in conservation efforts in the habitat area, resulting in the bird’s population more than doubling. The decision to propose a listing despite voluntary conservation efforts that continue to successfully restore habitat area removes any incentive for similar locally-driven efforts to occur for other species. This proposal will result in less wildlife conservation in the future, not more.”
And U.S. Senator, Dr. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) issued a statement:
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s announcement is disappointing and a reminder that this Administration favors government overreach and heavy handed regulation over cooperation with those who have been working to protect the Lesser Prairie Chicken’s habitat and growing the bird’s population across the Midwest. Instead of working with landowners to promote continued voluntary efforts the service is instead implementing a listing that limits Landowner autonomy and opportunity. Today’s announcement will hurt our state’s economy, hinder our oil and gas independence, increase utility costs, and prevent the development of renewable energy in prime Western Kansas locations.”
The lesser prairie-chicken became a candidate for listing under the ESA in 1998 and was listed as a threatened species in 2014.