In Central Washington, we understand better than most that our farmers and ranchers are the stewards of our lands. They know responsible land management includes a balance between species conservation and economic development in our rural communities. However, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has long been misused to halt development due to confusion by some between conservation and preservation, impacting our region.



The ESA was signed into law in 1973 to “protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a consequence of economic growth and development untampered by adequate concern and conservation.” Since its inception, the ESA has only recovered or delisted 3% of its listed species—a failing grade by any standard. Instead of focusing on its original goal, the ESA has been weaponized by administrations and extreme eco-activists to halt economic development and restrict access to natural resources on federal and private lands.

Abuses of the ESA have led to disastrous consequences for our region. Our farmers and ranchers saw this firsthand with the introduction of the gray wolves in Central Washington. Initially, scientific analysis indicated that the species was nearing extinction. Now, gray wolves are found across the country. For years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ignored the rapid increase in wolf population, and just this week have begun considering de-listing the species, a process which could take years. This delayed audit has left wolves preying on livestock and pets, and communities have been unable to respond to threats. This is not the first time this administration has taken the wrong approach to de-listing an apex predator.

Grizzly bears surpassed their ESA recovery goals years ago and should have already been de-listed. Instead of following the science and de-listing, agencies chose to ignore local opposition and airlift grizzlies into the North Cascades ecosystem from a region with a fully recovered population. This in conjunction with the large gray wolf population will cause significant predation issues for livestock and other species in the region, all in the name of “ESA progress.”

These abuses must end, which is why I introduced the ESA Amendments Act alongside House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). This legislation is a policy proposal from the ESA Working Group, which I co-founded last year as the Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. The bill aims to reform the ESA to protect landowner rights, incentivize conservation, and increase transparency in the recovery and eventual de-listing of species—helping endangered species while still allowing rural America to prosper. With the recent announcement of the gray wolves' delisting, I am hopeful the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is taking our concerns seriously. I also hope they will consider delisting other apex predators, like the grizzly bear, whose populations have similarly rebounded.

Only in the federal government would a 3% success rate be considered acceptable, further proving that the ESA needs reform—not only for the sake of our species, but for the people of Central Washington affected by its land usage restrictions, impact on property values, and costly permitting requirements. I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to provide tangible, common-sense solutions to the ESA for the betterment of the landowners and species recovery.