Supporting the designation of May 19, 2023, as "Endangered Species Day".
Impact
HR423 underscores the ongoing biodiversity crisis, driven largely by human activities such as climate change and habitat destruction. The resolution also advocates for bold conservation strategies, setting specific goals such as protecting at least 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030. By commemorating Endangered Species Day, the resolution aims to raise public awareness about the need for continued support for species protection and restoration initiatives, highlighting the interconnectedness of human well-being and wildlife conservation.
Summary
House Resolution 423 supports the designation of May 19, 2023, as 'Endangered Species Day.' This resolution aims to highlight the critical importance of protecting wildlife and plant species that are at risk of extinction. The resolution emphasizes the role that healthy ecosystems play in providing various benefits, including economic, recreational, and cultural value to communities across the nation. It calls for recognition of the successes achieved under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which has successfully prevented the extinction of over 99% of species previously designated as threatened or endangered.
Contention
While HR423 is a supportive resolution without enforceable law, it may still invite discussions around the adequacy of current measures for protecting endangered species. Supporters argue that public recognition of endangered species is crucial for mobilizing resources and fostering community engagement in conservation efforts. However, some skeptics may raise concerns about whether symbolic resolutions can translate into actionable policy changes that effectively address the urgent threats facing at-risk species.
To amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require consideration of economic impact in making a listing decision with respect to the list of threatened and endangered species, and for other purposes.
Less Imprecision in Species Treatment Act of 2023 or the LIST Act of 2023 This bill revises the process for removing a species from the endangered or threatened species lists. A species must be removed from the endangered or threatened species lists if the Department of the Interior produces or receives substantial scientific or commercial information demonstrating that the species is recovered or that recovery goals set for the species have been met. The publication and notice of a proposed regulation to remove a species from the lists must consist solely of a notice of the removal. The bill establishes a process for removing species from the lists if they were erroneously or wrongfully listed. The bill prohibits a person from submitting a petition to list a species as a threatened or endangered species for 10 years if the person knowingly submitted a petition with information that was inaccurate beyond scientifically reasonable margins of error, fraudulent, or misrepresentative.
To require the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to withdraw proposed rules relating to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and for other purposes.