Chellie Pingree: “The Endangered Species Act is the Nation's principle conservation law whose ultimate goals include preventing the…”

“The Endangered Species Act is the Nation's principle conservation law whose ultimate goals include preventing the extinction of species and providing for their recovery. On June 4, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service announced a plan to improve and strengthen implementation of the Endangered Species Act to address 21st century conservation challenges. These agencies are proposing to revise three final rules issued in 2019 under the previous administration that do not adequately guide the implementation of the Endangered Species Act. The proposed revisions are intended to improve and clarify the interagency consultation processes; listing, delisting, and reclassification decisions; and designation of critical habitat. Why would anyone object to making regulations clearer, more straightforward, or improving implementation of the Endangered Species Act? The Services also proposed to reinstate the 4(d) blanket rule options for protecting and conserving threatened species. Remember, Mr. Chair, providing a suite of protections for threatened species will help it avoid becoming an endangered species. These proposed rules are now subject to public review and comment, and the Services will carefully consider the comments they receive before finalizing any changes.…”