Cynthia Lummis

Are there tribal members on the reservation who use big game or wild meat as their main source of protein through the winter?

And when you have depletions of ungulates, especially huntable ungulates, in those kind of proportions, do the number of hunting licenses that are issued drop?

Are you aware of the goalpost ever moving? In other words, once a species reaches that criteria, the criteria was changed?

Is it true that when a species is headed for listing, that recovery criteria are established?

There are a lot more grizzlies than there were.

The ultimate goal of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 was species recovery.

Absolutely I think that we need to do something about de-listing.

The Endangered Species Act should not force us to choose wildlife over humans and the economic opportunity necessary to my family and my tribe.

I am here to tell you that we can have both, thriving wildlife populations and good paying jobs created by coal.

I am very anxious to find a 21st century conservation strategy that will have robust conservation of species.

I also want to acknowledge my thanks to the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Doc Hastings.

It should be possible to balance environmental protection and economic growth.

Most people recognize that committees are bipartisan in nature. We opened up an invitation to the other side.

I dare say if you walk down any main street in any town in Wyoming, or probably any town in this country, and say that there is a law on the books that has not been reauthorized for 25 years, should we enforce it, I doubt if you would get…

I would like to ask whether primacy at the State level, as is sometimes used for environmental regulations, would be something that would be useful for inclusion in the Endangered Species Act.

I have always felt that the farmers are the best stewards of the land, because if you are not a steward of your land, you are not going to have a crop.

I appreciate your clarification.

So it monetizes the conservation of land.

I am an advocate for 21st century conservation, a very new and different conservation ethic that recognizes sound science.

The ESA is a subject that needs attention, having its authorization lapse more than 25 years ago.

I am so delighted that the Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Doc Hastings, has chosen to be here today.

So, would you deny that the gentleman was correct, that once upon a time in this country, mining was not properly reclaimed?

Would I be able to, if I visited your State, and you took me to a mine that was done pre-1977 versus post-1977, do you think I might be able to tell the difference?

Have those moneys since 1977 been used to reclaim pre-SMCRA blighted and abandoned coal mines?

Is that stagecraft, or does that stream really exist?