Agricultural News
Inhofe Applauds 'Threatened' Listing for Lesser Prairie Chicken
Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:08:20 CST
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said that Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) decision to propose a 'threatened' listing for the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is great news for Oklahoma because it provides a crucial step towards achieving a 'not-warranted' decision in the coming months. FWS Director Dan Ashe contacted Inhofe this morning to deliver the news; he explained that before the listing is final, there is "still a good chance we can get to a 'not warranted' decision" due to the successful voluntary efforts put forth by Oklahoma stakeholders to preserve the species. Ashe also committed to holding a hearing on the decision in Woodward, Oklahoma on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 6:30 pm at the High Plains Technology Center.
"Fish and Wildlife Service's decision on the Lesser Prairie Chicken is great news for Oklahoma," Inhofe said. "Given the tough odds that we faced originally, a proposed listing as 'threatened' is the best possible outcome at this time because it brings us one step closer to achieving a 'not-warranted' decision in the coming months. I was especially encouraged today when Director Ashe called to tell me that there is 'still a chance we can get to a not-warranted decision' due to Oklahomans' excellent voluntary efforts. He also made a commitment to return to Woodward, Oklahoma to conduct hearings, and I look forward to welcoming him there. As a senior Republican on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, achieving a 'not-warranted' status will one of my top priorities."
Oklahoma Secretary of the Environment Gary Sherrer said, "Today's decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service to list the lesser prairie chicken as 'threatened' rather than 'endangered' is a direct a result of the conservation efforts being made by landowners, industry and our state agencies. I am glad that FWS is seeing the successful voluntary actions being undertaken in Oklahoma, that I believe will lead to a 'not warranted' decision in the coming months. The state now has strong momentum to carry out this goal and I look forward to working with the Fish and Wildlife Service and Director Dan Ashe on this very important issue. I also wish to thank Sen. Inhofe for his hard work and assistance throughout this process."
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