Stauber sponsors bill to provide flexibility under Endangered Species Act

Legislation recently sponsored by U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) would provide America’s landowners and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) flexibility under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 

If enacted, the ESA Flexibility Act, H.R. 8136, would provide the USFWS with the ability to utilize rules and activities allowed under Section 4(d) of the ESA for endangered species, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Stauber’s staff.

“I’m pleased to introduce the ESA Flexibility Act today, which creates latitude for species listed as threatened or endangered,” Rep. Stauber said last week. “If we’re to build infrastructure, permit electricity transmission, mine for resources needed for everyday life, and properly manage our forests, we need common-sense habitat conservation plans that protect wildlife without harming our economy.” 

For example, Rep. Stauber pointed out that the northern long-eared bat suffers a disease through no fault of humans. If uplisted due to this disease, the bat’s entire range, which covers most of the continental United States, would be off limits to development, said the congressman. 

“The ESA as it’s written has failed biodiversity and is instead abused by the wealthy green lobby as a cash fund for lawyers. Although my common-sense bill is a small step forward,” Rep. Stauber said, “I hope we build on this reform to make the ESA work for people and animals once again.”

H.R. 8136 would alleviate the burden on landowners impacted by the potential uplisting of the northern long-eared bat, as well as other endangered species that the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior deems fit, the bill summary says.

Numerous groups endorsed the bill: the Forest Resources Association, the Minnesota Timber Producers Association, the American Loggers Council, the American Farm Bureau, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Mining Association, the National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition, the National Association of Counties, and the National Water Resources Association.

H.R. 8136 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.