This bill removes several specific species from the lists of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and prohibits the listing of the Bukharan markhor.
Chip Roy
Representative
TX-21
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to remove several specific species, including the Arabian oryx and Grevy's zebra, from the lists of threatened and endangered species. Furthermore, it prohibits the Secretary from ever listing the Bukharan markhor as either a threatened or endangered species. The overall effect is to eliminate federal protection for these particular animals under the Act.
New Bill Strips Seven Species, Including Grevy's Zebra, of Federal Endangered Species Protections
This legislation aims to make some significant, immediate changes to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) by removing federal protections from seven specific animal species. Specifically, the bill immediately takes the Arabian oryx, Banteng, Elds brow-antlered deer, Grevy's zebra, Red lechwe, Seledang, and Swamp deer off the official lists of threatened or endangered species. This means that federal requirements for habitat protection, recovery plans, and restrictions on activities that could harm these animals are instantly revoked, fundamentally changing their conservation status.
The Instant Delisting: What It Means for Conservation
When a species is listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA, it triggers a host of federal safeguards. For example, federal agencies must consult with wildlife services before undertaking any project that might affect the species or its habitat, and it becomes illegal to harm or "take" the animal. By delisting these seven species, the bill essentially removes the federal government from the business of protecting them. While this might reduce regulatory hurdles for development projects in areas where these animals live, it shifts the entire burden of conservation to state, local, or international efforts, which may not have the resources or legal authority to step in immediately.
The Bukharan Markhor Rule: A Permanent Ban
Beyond the seven delisted species, this bill includes a unique provision regarding the Bukharan markhor, a large Central Asian wild goat. The legislation amends Section 4(a)(1) of the ESA to explicitly prevent the Secretary of the Interior from ever listing the Bukharan markhor as either a threatened or an endangered species. This is a highly unusual move. Normally, the Secretary’s decision to list a species is based on scientific review of its population status and threats. This bill overrides that scientific process legislatively, creating a permanent, statutory block against federal protection for the markhor, regardless of what future scientific data might show about its risk of extinction. If the markhor population crashes next year, the federal government would be legally barred from stepping in under this section of the ESA.
Who Feels the Impact?
The most immediate impact will be felt by the species themselves and the conservation groups dedicated to their survival. Without ESA protection, these animals lose a crucial legal safety net that has been instrumental in the recovery of many species over the past five decades. For industries like development, agriculture, or resource extraction, this bill removes a potential regulatory obstacle, offering greater flexibility in land use where these animals reside. However, for the public interest in preserving global biodiversity, this represents a significant rollback of protections, potentially setting a concerning precedent for future species management. It's a clear signal that the regulatory weight of the federal government is being lifted from these specific species, raising the stakes for their long-term survival.