Newhouse ESA Reform Bill Advances Through Committee

Yesterday, the House Natural Resources Committee approved the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Amendments Act of 2024, a bill by Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) that makes reforms to the ESA to incentivize conservation, protect landowners' rights, and implement transparency in the recovery of species.

"The ESA is in dire need of serious changes, and I am thankful that the committee understands that. Our species and landowners have suffered far too long from misuse of the ESA and my bill puts an end to that. If we are to truly prioritize species recovery and de-listing, then we must prioritize advancing this legislation,"said. Rep. Newhouse.

Newhouse continued, "I thank House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman for taking up this important bill, and I look forward to working to get it across the finish line."

This legislation is the final product of the ESA Working Group(link is external) co-founded by Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse and Chairman Bruce Westerman in July 2023.

Original co-sponsors include Reps. Pete Stauber (MN-08), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), and Harriet Hageman (WY-AL).

Background:

This legislation:

• Incentivizes wildlife conservation on private lands.
• Prevents the Secretary of the Interior from designating privately owned or controlled land as critical habitat, protecting landowners' rights.
• Empowers states to enact species recovery plans as state and local officials know best how to manage populations without harming communities.
• Requires that removal of a species is not subject to judicial review.
• Creates greater transparency and accountability in recovering listed species.
• Appropriations authorizing number- $431,755,000 - which is the total authorized in House FY25 bills for Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ESA activities.

Full original bill text can be found here.

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