|
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (Feb. 4, 2005) — After discussing many questions and concerns with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), members of the Federal Lands Committee were treated to a positive outlook by Greg Schildwachter, representing Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), during committee meetings Feb. 4 at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention in San Antonio. He discussed many changes that would be proposed in the future to focus the ESA more directly on recovering listed species than restricting landowners. “Recovery is what’s going to unravel regulatory burdens,” he said. “You can’t regulate things back to recovery.”
Schildwachter noted several instances of ranchers taking the initiative to conserve certain species before they were listed, thus preventing the listing of the sage grouse. ESA reform is not a top priority for many, he noted, adding, “it should be.” He also proposed several procedural changes regarding deadlines and litigation, as well as how people affected by the ESA should be compensated.
The issue of linking landscapes was discussed at length, as was policy regarding buyouts of grazing permits. While some were diametrically opposed to this idea, others noted that they may be needed in some circumstances to help those driven from their profession of choice.
— by Brooke Byrd, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.
© Copyright 2005 Angus Productions Inc.
Editor’s Note: This article was written under contract or by staff of Angus Productions Inc. (API), which claims copyright to this article. It may not be published or distributed without the express permission of Angus Productions Inc. To request reprint permission and guidelines, contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at (816) 383-5270 or shermel@angusjournal.com.
|