President Biden has vetoed a Congressional Overview Act decision, Senate Joint Decision 9, from overturning protections for the Lesser Prairie-Hen underneath the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This transfer comes after each the Home and Senate narrowly handed the decision to finish itemizing of the hen, a once-abundant grassland species whose inhabitants has declined by 90 p.c because the 1800s.
“Vetoing this dangerous decision is placing the Lesser Prairie-Hen on a extra sure path to restoration,” stated Michael J. Parr, President of American Hen Conservancy. “Current-day populations are thought to common a mere 32,000 birds. Each coordinated effort is required to make sure a safer future for this iconic species.”
In 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) declared a southern subpopulation of the Lesser Prairie-Hen Endangered, whereas a northern subpopulation was listed as Threatened. The itemizing got here after many years of grassland habitat loss and degradation throughout the species’ historic vary in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Earlier this yr, the decision to overturn this determination narrowly handed with a 50-48 vote within the Senate and 221-206 vote within the Home, as an alternative of permitting the ESA to work as supposed.
Lesser Prairie Hen, copyright Andrew Spencer, from the surfbirds galleries
“Many individuals have gone to nice lengths to forestall the necessity for Lesser Prairie-Hen itemizing, however we consider it should help in saving this species,” stated Steven Riley, Director of Farm Invoice Coverage at American Hen Conservancy. “Along with ranchers and farmers, our new Hen-Saver conservation initiative will assist present for extra high-quality habitat the place the birds can efficiently breed and rebound.”
Lesser Prairie-Chickens are thought-about to be an indicator species for wholesome grasslands and prairies, making their steep inhabitants decline a serious concern to conservationists. Grassland birds are essentially the most at-risk group of birds within the U.S., and have collectively declined by greater than 50 p.c up to now 50 years.
President Biden’s determination to veto will assist make sure that USFWS continues to challenge comparable protections that forestall this and different listed wildlife species from going extinct.
