This week, the U.S. Department of Interior released proposed rule changes for the Endangered Species Act. It’s the 45-year-old act credited with reviving populations of bald eagles, gray wolves, lynxes and roughly 1,600 plants and animals at risk of extinction. Right now, the process used to protect species under the act requires only a scientific assessment of whether there’s a risk of extinction. The rule change would allow regulators to also consider economic and business factors.
Supporters say the change is necessary to spur development and jobs. Critics say it’s just a way to give oil, timber and ranching industries more business. Marketplace takes a look in the story below.
Ethan Lane, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council (PLC) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Federal Lands, released a statement on July 19 in response to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed updates to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) implementation regulations:
“We are pleased to see the administration taking such a serious and measured approach to modernizing the regulatory side of the Endangered Species Act. While we are still reviewing the details of these proposed rules, they are focused on some of the most impactful areas of current ESA implementation and could consequently provide tremendous relief to ranchers once finalized. We look forward to working with Secretary Zinke and his team on this effort.”
Beltway Beef’s Ethan Lane talked to Wyoming Gov. Matt Meat on ESA modernization on the podcast below.