U.S. Congressman Sam Graves recently introduced legislation that will improve the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The legislation would seek to develop relationships between landowners and government agencies while strengthening efforts to recover endangered species.
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Congress passed the ESA legislation with the goal of recovering species threatened by extinction. Currently, 1,268 species have been added to the list for protection. Since the adoption of the ESA, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has recovered only 15 species… or 1.2% of those on the list currently.
“These are common sense changes that will make the Endangered Species Act do what it was meant to do – recover species threatened by extinction,” said Graves. “It also helps protect landowners who count on using their land to make a living.”
Graves’ bill would create a voluntary landowner incentive program. Participating landowners would receive compensation from the government for their conservation efforts. Graves says that a positive working relationship with landowners would improve the chances of recovering endangered species.
“The ESA is simply not working,” said Graves. “Farmers and small businesses are losing money because of a government program that is not successful.”
Missouri is home to 25 species, eight of which reside in the Sixth District, which are threatened or endangered. The Piping Plover, Pallid Sturgeon and Least Tern are on the list and inhabit the Missouri River which has ignited a debate over water levels. Refocusing the ESA will have a positive effect on resolving that debate.
“I’m more concerned about the rights of landowners than the Piping Plover,” said Graves. “By working with, instead of against landowners, we can save more species.”
The bill has been referred to the Resources Committee and is H.R. 3300. The American Farm Bureau has endorsed the bill.