Rep. Calvert Supports the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act
Rep. Calvert Supports the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Ken Calvert voted in favor of H.R. 3824, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act (TESRA). The bill was approved in the House by a vote of 229-193. This bipartisan legislation updates and modernizes the historic Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973.
"ESA reform is long overdue," said Rep. Calvert. "Today, the House enacted significant improvements to the ESA that restores balanced protections to species as well as landowners. This legislation creates meaningful changes that will increase the government's focus on recovering species, while eliminating bureaucratic processes that consume limited resources and provide no additional benefits for species."
Rep. Calvert submitted an amendment to H.R. 3824 that allows actions authorized under an approved Section 10 permit to be carried out without being subject to a second Section 7 consultation. This amendment was included as part of the Manager's amendment and in the final House-passed legislation.
"This provision makes a common-sense change to allow actions already approved as part of a habitat conservation plan (HCP) to be carried out without having to undergo a second, duplicative consultation process. The Western Riverside County Multi-Species HCP was a historic undertaking involving local government, resource agencies, landowners, and environmentalists. The actions and plans outlined in this comprehensive agreement will be able to be effectively implemented in a timelier and less costly manner if this provision becomes law. Combined with the codification of the "No Surprises" assurance, this provision will strengthen and improve the implementation of every HCP."
TESRA updates and improves the ESA by:
*Replacing the critical habitat program with a more integrated recovery planning process that includes the identification of specific areas that are of special value to the conservation of the species which are then given priority in recovery efforts
*Codifying the "No Surprises" assurances policy for persons developing habitat conservation plans
*Providing for the use of the best available scientific data in all decisions
*Creating several new tools - contracts, agreements and grants - to provide incentives for conserving endangered species
*Allowing private property owners to request a written determination from the Interior Secretary whether use of their property would violate the ESA and get a straight "yes" or "no" answer
*Compensating private property owners for the fair market value of loss of use for foregone use of their property
http://calvert.house.gov/pressreleases.asp?ARTICLE4024=10063