INTRODUCTION OF THE WEIGH HABITATS OFFSETTING LOCATIONAL EFFECTS ACT OF 2020; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 7
(Extensions of Remarks - January 13, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E29-E30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INTRODUCTION OF THE WEIGH HABITATS OFFSETTING LOCATIONAL EFFECTS ACT OF
2020
______
HON. DAN NEWHOUSE
of washington
in the house of representatives
Monday, January 13, 2020
Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Weigh
Habitats Offsetting Locational Effects Act of 2020, or the WHOLE Act.
As Central Washingtonians know all-too-well, Endangered Species Act
(ESA) listing and delisting decisions have huge, lasting impacts on
local communities and environments. The ESA was signed into law to
protect and revitalize species of endangered or threatened animals and
wildlife, but as time passes, this law, which has not been updated
since 1973, has had increased negative effects on local communities--
where the true impacts of species recovery unfold.
Unfortunately, the law has been used as a political spearhead for
frivolous litigation that can negatively affect private property
rights, public land use decisions, and American jobs. And like many
other regulations coming out of the nation's capital, relying on top-
down decisions from bureaucrats only limits economic prosperity, local
conservation efforts, and the celebration of recovered species.
Under current law, only conservation efforts taking place within the
critical habitats of endangered or threatened species are considered
during environmental reviews or impact studies of federal actions. But
we know that habitats and ecosystems expand beyond arbitrary
government-drawn lines.
My legislation would ensure that all conservation measures are
considered when federal decisions that impact ESA-listed species
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are being made. By establishing a process that considers the totality
of conservation efforts, we incentivize private investment in species
recovery, streamline federal decision-making, and promote the
comprehensive efforts of states, local communities, and tribes.
Efforts to strengthen the ESA are--and have been--ongoing. This
legislation is part of a larger legislative package of 18 bills
introduced by Members of the Congressional Western Caucus, a group of
75 representatives who focus on addressing issues impacting local
communities in the rural West and beyond, including strengthening and
modernizing the ESA. As a Western Caucus Member, I am proud to work
with my colleagues to advance priorities like this for Central
Washington. The package also includes efforts I have supported in the
past, such as ensuring the best available science is used to make ESA
listing decisions and providing more transparency by making this data
publicly available.
By bringing the ESA into the 21st Century, the Western Caucus aims to
create a more comprehensive, streamlined approach to species recovery,
while ensuring our communities are not burdened by overregulation and
misleading data. We should not tie our hands when it comes to species
recovery. Using the best available science, considering all ongoing
conservation measures, streamlining the process for listing decisions,
and empowering state and local efforts will create a comprehensive
approach to advance species recovery and fulfill the true intent of the
ESA.
The ESA was created to protect and recover endangered and threatened
species. We must remain committed to this shared goal by strengthening
and modernizing the Endangered Species Act for future generations. The
WHOLE Act and these legislative efforts put forward by the Western
Caucus are a strong step forward, so I humbly ask my colleagues to join
me in supporting the WHOLE Act of 2020.
____________________
