Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced the completion of initial reviews of three Endangered Species Act (ESA) petitions, including one setting the clock to potentially re-list the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered. Re-listing will designate habitat on millions of acres of private land in parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. The announcement follows the Service’s removal of the species from the threatened and endangered lists in July, in response to a 2015 court ruling. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement:

“It’s no surprise the Obama administration is disregarding last year’s court ruling and pushing more listings at the behest of radical environmental groups. Jamming through decisions with questionable scientific support in the eleventh hour is a fitting end to the administration’s failed ESA agenda.

“I look forward to working with the next administration on ESA reforms to ensure science and state input guide federal policy and prevent special interest litigants from blocking economic growth while paralyzing species recovery efforts."