Today, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on the failures of the Endangered Species Act's (ESA) provisions relating to experimental populations of listed species that have been reintroduced, like gray wolves and grizzly bears. Subcommittee Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) issued the following statement in response: 

"For years, ranchers in my great state of Arizona as well as New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming have been ignored in favor of appeasing radical environmental groups. Ignoring local input before and after the introduction of experimental populations of apex predators, the Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed animals like bears and wolves to wreak financial, physical, and emotional havoc on ranchers who work tirelessly trying to make a living off their own land. It’s long past time that the federal government return to the original intent of the Endangered Species Act by placing the interests of those most impacted by their harmful decisions far ahead of radical eco-terrorists.”

Background

Both the federal government and radical environmental organizations have exploited the ESA over the years to stifle development under the guise of supposed “species conservation.” Since Congress enacted the ESA in 1973, approximately 1,700 species have been listed as threatened or endangered. Only 3 percent of these species have been recovered and delisted. 

Section 10(j) of the ESA was designed to provide exceptions from ESA regulations for experimental populations. These populations of endangered or threatened species are introduced outside of their current range. The original aim of experimental population exceptions was to responsibly conserve and maintain a healthy population; however, litigious groups have exploited section 10(j) of the ESA to safeguard apex predators such as gray wolves, Mexican wolves and grizzly bears, reintroducing them into regions where conflicts with human populations and activities are inevitable. These predator species are especially problematic as they pose significant threats to livestock, humans, and pets. In many cases, these species thrive at population levels significantly above initial conservation targets, calling into question whether continued protection under the ESA is warranted. 

To return to the ESA’s original intent, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must prioritize local input from stakeholders and community leaders on the ground rather than radical environmental groups with conflicting interests.

Today's hearing included testimony from ranchers across the country and local representatives who have experienced the daily, ongoing threats these predators pose to their way of life.

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