Bill 119 hr 587, also known as the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Protection Act, aims to remove the lesser prairie-chicken from the lists of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The bill also seeks to amend the Act to exclude the lesser prairie-chicken from its authority.
The lesser prairie-chicken is a species of grouse native to the southern Great Plains region of the United States. It has been listed as threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and other factors. This bill proposes to delist the species in order to reduce regulatory burdens on landowners and promote conservation efforts through state and local management plans.
Supporters of the bill argue that the current protections for the lesser prairie-chicken are overly burdensome and have not been effective in increasing the species' population. They believe that state and local authorities are better equipped to manage the species and its habitat.
Opponents of the bill, however, express concerns that delisting the lesser prairie-chicken could lead to further population declines and habitat destruction. They argue that federal protections are necessary to ensure the species' survival and recovery.
Overall, the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Protection Act is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about the balance between conservation efforts and landowner rights. It will be important for lawmakers to carefully consider the potential impacts of delisting the species before making a decision on the bill.