Members of the Kansas congressional delegation have issued statements critical of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act.
For the bird’s habitat in Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma, the bird is now on the “Threatened” list. For Texas and New Mexico, however, the bird has been deemed “Endangered.”
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said the decision threatens to put unnecessary restrictions on farmers, ranchers and energy producers. He said Kansas and surrounding states are committed to preserving the lesser prairie chicken and its habitat area, and they have contributed millions of public and private dollars to conservation efforts. He said the government decision will have a negative impact on critical industries in Kansas, and it will remove any incentive for local efforts for wildlife conservation in the future.
Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said the announcement is disappointing and he said the listing of the lesser prairie chicken will hurt the state’s economy, hinder oil and gas independence, increase utility costs and prevent the development of renewable energy in prime western Kansas locations.
Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann called the ruling another example of federal overreach. He called it a proxy war on American agriculture and energy sectors that are vital to the economy. Mann said the federal government should get out of the way of farmers, ranchers and landowners and let them handle conservation efforts.
[ Photo: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS – Facebook ]
