For Immediate Release:
Thursday, September 29, 2005

WASHINGTON D.C -

The U.S. House today passed legislation to reform the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Eastern Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren was an original cosponsor of the bill because it allows property owners more say in the process of species recovery.    

 

The Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act was brought to the House floor after passing the House Committee on Resources last week.  Boren, a member of the committee, says the ESA has become outdated and an impediment to economic growth.

 

“In its original form, the ESA is a law that sounds good and looks good on paper, but has failed in application.  If we are to make the ESA work, we need to foster cooperative conservation between property owners and federal officials,” Boren said. 

 

The reforms that Boren supports would not only create incentives for property owners to participate in conservation, but also compensate them when affected by decisions made under federal law. 

 

“Many communities in Southeast Oklahoma have been negatively impacted by efforts to protect the American Burying Beetle.  This legislation will give people more say in how the ESA affects them and their communities,” Boren told the committee.

 

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, only 10 of the roughly 1,300 species on the endangered species list have recovered since its enactment in 1973. After more than three decades of implementation, Boren says the ESA needs to be updated. 

 

“Rather than achieving its goals, the law has caused an inordinate amount of conflict and litigation - hurting family farmers and landowners by limiting the use of their property unnecessarily,” Boren said. 

 

The Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act passed the House and awaits consideration in the Senate.

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