John Scott Duarte: “Today, I stand before you to express my support for S.J. Res. 9. My colleagues and I have deep concerns about the harms…”

“Today, I stand before you to express my support for S.J. Res. 9. My colleagues and I have deep concerns about the harms of listing the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act. While the intent of this act is to protect vulnerable species, we must carefully consider the consequences of such a decision. Listing the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered will have far- reaching negative impacts on rural communities, working families, and conservation efforts, all while ignoring the best available science. First and foremost, this action will place more red tape on farmers, ranchers, and small businesses, leading to more Federal control and less personal freedom. Rural America already faces significant challenges, and more Federal red tape will only limit job growth and crush rural communities. Furthermore, listing the lesser prairie-chicken might not guarantee its recovery. The Endangered Species Act's track record has shown limited success in saving species from extinction, often requiring substantial amounts of taxpayer dollars and enormous economic impacts with minimal positive outcomes. Instead, we should prioritize cooperative conservation efforts that involve collaboration between private landowners and government agencies to ensure a more holistic, sustainable approach. Listing the lesser prairie-chicken will divert attention and resources away from other critical conservation priorities.…”