House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement today after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it would extend the public comment period an additional 60 days for the proposed critical habitat designation of the western yellow-billed cuckoo. The Service’s actions are in direct response to a letter sent to the Service’s Director, Dan Ashe, from 18 Members of Congress representing 11 states calling to extend the comment period. 

“The listing and proposed designation of hundreds of thousands of acres of critical habitat of the yellow-billed cuckoo is yet another example of the Obama Administration’s actions being driven by a 2011 court mega-settlement, NOT by sound science. This listing would have devastating negative impacts on farmers, ranchers, forest management, small businesses, and American energy production in more than 65 counties in nine states throughout the West — including areas where the bird has never existed before. It is only common sense that the Service extend the comment period to allow a much-needed opportunity for Congress and affected stakeholders to fully review the scope and likely huge economic impacts of this unilateral and arbitrary proposal.”