Today, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the final revised policy on mitigation impacts of development. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) released the following statement:

“Up until the bitter end, this administration’s Fish and Wildlife Service is forcing damaging, last-minute edicts on their way out the door.  I have significant concerns that this ‘mitigation’ policy will only create more undue barriers to economic activity and infrastructure needs. It sets irresponsible mitigation standards. This rule won’t help the environment or the American people, but it will do wonders for the special-left interest and litigious groups that have Obama’s ear.”

On February 24, 2016, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held an oversight hearing on the Presidential Memoranda on mitigation. Members raised concerns about the memo as it creates sweeping new statutory authority and requirements to agencies evaluating projects on federal lands and waters.