Ranchers Welcome Overturning of “Unjust” Wild Bird Rule
US – Preservation orders on a wild bird have been lifted by Texan authorities in a move applauded by ranchers.The US District Court for the Western District of Texas removed the Lesser Prairie Chicken from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) last Tuesday.
According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, conservation efforts have allowed the bird to thrive, recovering 25 per cent in numbers from 2014 to 2015.
The judge ruled the ESA listing was “arbitrary and capricious”.
Dustin Van Liew, executive director of the Public Lands Council and the NCBA federal lands welcomed the ruling, stating there was “overwhelming evidence” that showed the bird’s population and habitat was healthy.
But he that the ESA had been pushed through in spite of this.
Commenting on future conservation direction, he said: “By working with ranchers and those that work the land every day, conservation efforts can be put in place that help wildlife habitat as well as production agriculture and the Lesser Prairie Chicken is prime example.”
Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis said: “Judge Junell caught the Fish and Wildlife Service playing fast and loose with its own rules, putting a closed door court settlement deadline ahead of boots-on-the-ground conservation.
"The expertise, resources, and will to conserve species at the state and local level have never been stronger. The forty year old Endangered Species Act needs to be updated to embrace stewardship over litigation.”
Picture courtesy of Kansas State University
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