SW Arkansas Times

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations convened to discuss the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and its provisions concerning experimental populations of reintroduced species, such as gray wolves and grizzly bears. Subcommittee Chairman Paul Gosar expressed concerns about the impact of these provisions on ranchers in several states.

"For years, ranchers in my great state of Arizona as well as New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming have been ignored in favor of appeasing radical environmental groups," Gosar stated. He criticized the Fish and Wildlife Service for "ignoring local input before and after the introduction of experimental populations of apex predators," which he claims has caused significant harm to ranchers.

The ESA was enacted in 1973 to protect threatened or endangered species. Since then, approximately 1,700 species have been listed under the act, with only 3 percent having been recovered and delisted. Section 10(j) allows exceptions for experimental populations introduced outside their current range. However, it is argued that this section has been exploited by certain groups to protect predators like gray wolves and grizzly bears in areas where they may conflict with human activities.

Gosar emphasized that the federal government should prioritize local input over what he termed "radical eco-terrorists." He suggested that both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration need to focus more on stakeholders directly affected by these policies.

Testimonies were heard from ranchers nationwide who face challenges due to predator reintroductions under current ESA regulations.