The Northern Long-Eared Bat

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss an important and timely field hearing that was put on today by the House Natural Resources Committee in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, titled, ``The Northern Long-Eared Bat: The Federal Endangered Species Act and Impacts of a Listing on Pennsylvania and 37 Other States.''

Today's oversight panel heard from witnesses representing a number of economic sectors on the harmful economic impacts of this wrongheaded designation proposal.

Mr. Speaker, no one can deny the primary challenge facing the northern long-eared bat, which is a disease known as white-nose syndrome, and there is a consensus that we must learn more about this great threat. However, it is imperative that we get the science right and strategically address the root cause of the apparent population losses rather than restrict a large area of the economy and activities that have no bearing on slowing or reversing this disease.

The Endangered Species Act is far from perfect and has generated many unintended and harmful consequences. Unfortunately, the proposed designation for this particular species is yet another reminder of how this law must be improved and modernized.

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