Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Act This bill prohibits any population of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, or New Mexico from being listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). The lesser prairie-chicken is a type of grouse. Currently, two distinct population segments (DPS) of the lesser prairie-chicken are listed under the ESA. The Southern DPS of the lesser prairie-chicken is listed as endangered and the Northern DPS is listed as threatened. The bill removes both populations from the list. In addition, the bill bans Interior from listing any population of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered or threatened in the future.
The proposed changes in HB 248 would have significant implications for wildlife management in the affected states. By delisting the lesser prairie chicken from federal protection, local governments and stakeholders may gain more autonomy over land use and resource management without the limitations imposed by the Endangered Species Act. Proponents argue that such a shift would promote greater local management practices tailored to specific conditions in each state. However, there are concerns that this could lead to reduced conservation efforts, potentially putting the long-term survival of the species at risk.
House Bill 248, titled the 'Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Act', seeks to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by specifically excluding certain populations of the lesser prairie chicken from being designated as endangered or threatened. The legislation targets populations located in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico, which are currently recognized under the Endangered Species Act. By prohibiting any future listings of these populations as endangered or threatened, the bill aims to relieve local stakeholders from regulatory burdens associated with conservation efforts mandated by the federal law.
Discussions surrounding HB 248 have highlighted tensions between local control and federal oversight in wildlife conservation. Supporters of the bill, primarily from agricultural and development backgrounds, argue that the federal designation complicates land use and economic development. Conversely, environmental advocates assert that removing protections could accelerate habitat loss and further threaten the already vulnerable populations of the lesser prairie chicken. The debate centers on balancing economic development interests with the need to preserve biodiversity and protect the ecological integrity of the region.