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Tanya Augustson, (202) 347-0228, taugustson@beef.org

Karen Batra, (202) 347-0228, kbatra@beef.org

Ranchers Applaud Efforts to Improve Endangered Species Rules
ESA Bill to Be Helpful to Landowners, Strengthen Recovery

Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2005) – Rancher-members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) voiced support today for efforts by the House Resources Committee to remedy the Endangered Species Act, after more than thirty years.

“Although well-intended, the Endangered Species Act has been inefficient and ineffective at protecting and recovering the fish and wildlife it was designed to protect,” says Jim McAdams, a Texas rancher and NCBA president.  “In addition, this law has produced unnecessary burdens on landowners and local communities.”

House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-Cal.) and Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Cal.) introduced H.R. 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (TESRA) today with the intention of modernizing the ESA and enhancing its ability for species recovery.  Pombo also points out that, in addition to recovering less than 1 percent of the species listed, the ESA has created an adversarial relationship between government regulators and the people who are most critical to the goal of saving endangered species: America’s farmers, ranchers, and private property owners.

Ranchers are hopeful that policymakers will take notice of local voluntary efforts to conserve species and protect wildlife habitat that have proven successful.  In January 2005, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the greater sage grouse does not warrant protection under the ESA.  This decision was based on the success of local conservation partnerships that helped recover the bird and enhance sage grouse habitat in states throughout the West. 

“Ranchers are outside on the land everyday,” says McAdams. “We have an important role to play in species and habitat protection and we know that local partnerships and on-the-ground practices can achieve better results than federal mandates.”

“We know that species conservation can coexist with livestock production. This legislation is a huge step forward toward having environmental and conservation decisions based on sound science and common sense.  In addition, this bill ensures the concerns of working people on the ground are reflected in the decisions,” says McAdams.  “We’re grateful to Chairman Pombo for his leadership on an issue that has needed attention for some time.”

The bi-partisan legislation is also co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Baca (D-Cal.), Marion Berry (D-Ark.), Henry Brown (R-S.C.), Jim Costa (D-Cal.), Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Jim Gibbons (R-Nev.), Cathy McMorris (R-Wash.), George Radanovich (R-Cal.), Mike Ross (D-Ark.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), and Greg Walden (R-Ore.).  For more information on H.R. 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (TESRA), visit the House Resources Committee web site at:  http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/.

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