ESA Reform Needed

The Western Governor’s Association recently released a special report called Species Conservation and Endangered Species Act Initiative. Public Lands Council Executive Director Ethan Lane says this report’s purpose was to bring all stakeholders across the landscape together and that in combination with
Lane: “The fact that all the Western Governors are engaged here gives the largest base of support for a path forward for the Endanger Species Act and reform efforts. This is going to essentially be the West speaking with one voice and saying, ‘We’re ground zero for impact of the Endangered Species Act and we’re speaking with one voice to talk about how states can come together and reform this act and make it work moving forward.’”
Lane continues with the importance and need for ESA reform.
Lane: “Currently we have more than 2,000 species listed on the Endangered Species Act and a recovery rate of less that 1.4 percent. That is absolutely a failing grade and something that — you would think — improved almost in our sleep. Unfortunately massive efforts are going to be undertaking in order to improve that and get this back to a place that it is not just restrictions for landowners — where we currently exist. Where these species are almost in a roach motel where they check into the ESA but they never check out. So the focus here is on are bringing back accountability back to the agencies so when they put these type of restrictions in place, they are measured and they have to be rescinded at the time of recovery.”