SW Arkansas Times

The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries recently convened to discuss legislative reforms impacting wildlife management. Four bills were reviewed, focusing on updates to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and a proposed renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

Subcommittee Chair Harriet Hageman expressed support for the ESA Amendments Act, stating it aims to introduce necessary reforms to an outdated law. "I’m eager to advocate for the ESA Amendments Act which introduces critical reforms to an outdated law, empowering state and local officials to manage wildlife effectively," she said. The act seeks to reward successful species management efforts like the gray wolf's recovery. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act acknowledges this by proposing the delisting of the gray wolf from endangered status, aiming to protect ranchers and rural communities.

Additionally, Hageman addressed the Gulf of America Act which seeks to formalize President Trump's executive orders by renaming the Gulf of Mexico. "President Trump is working tirelessly to enact the will of the American people, and it’s Congress’s responsibility to formalize those executive actions into legislation," she stated.

Key pieces of legislation discussed included:

- **H.R. 276**, known as the Gulf of America Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), which proposes renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

- **H.R. 845**, titled Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), suggests removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list.

- **H.R. 1897**, or ESA Amendments Act of 2025, introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), aims at refining ESA processes for species recovery.

- **H.R. 1917**, named Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025, put forward by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), proposes establishing a program under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for improved fisheries management through fish tagging.

These bills reflect ongoing efforts in Congress to address conservation challenges while balancing ecological needs with human interests.