The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed Senate passage of the Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval that would stop the implementation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The resolution was led by Sen. Roger Marshall (KS).
“The lesser prairie chicken listing will do little to benefit the bird, but it will succeed in shutting down the voluntary conservation work that is responsible for the species surviving today. NCBA thanks Senator Marshall for his leadership on this issue, and we appreciate the support of those in the Senate who are listening to the concerns of farmers, ranchers and local officials,” said NCBA Policy Division Chair Gene Copenhaver. “This resolution puts flexible, locally led conservation efforts back at the forefront. The Biden administration’s actions to list the bird, micromanage grazing operations on private lands, and implement a top-down approach will not benefit the bird or the land.”
Rep. Tracey Mann (KS) is leading the companion House resolution to disapprove the lesser prairie chicken listing, which passed the House Natural Resources Committee last week.
NCBA is currently suing the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the listing of the lesser prairie chicken. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in March. In addition to NCBA, the case is being brought by lead plaintiff Permian Basin Petroleum Association along with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association.
Michael Kelsey with the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association described the news of the Senate vote as huge. “The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association sincerely appreciates the US Senate for passing this important resolution. The listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken was an overstep by the Biden Administration ignoring the everyday commitment to animal, environmental and wildlife stewardship of cattle producers. We look forward to the full House passing the companion resolution as the next step. “
