Letter Supporting Creation of the Endangered Species Act Working Group
The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman
Committee on Natural Resources
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Cynthia Lummis
Co-Chair
Congressional Western Caucus
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Hastings and Representative Lummis:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing the
interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state
and local chambers and industry associations, and dedicated to promoting, protecting, and
defending America’s free enterprise system, strongly supports your efforts in creating the
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Working Group.
The ESA was last reauthorized in 1988, and the Chamber agrees that now is a good time
for Congress to look at ways to improve it. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS), as of May 9, 2013 there were 1,440 species listed under the ESA in the United States.
The FWS has declared that only 28 species on this list have recovered, representing a 2 percent
recovery rate.
The ESA has been subject to an excessive amount of litigation and settlement
agreements. In the last four years, FWS has been petitioned to list an additional 1,230 species.
In a sue and settle deal with environmental groups in 2011, the Department of Interior agreed to
take action on another 757 species.
The ESA needs to strike a balance between ensuring property and water right protection
while successfully recovering and conserving species. ESA listings can have a negative
economic impact on the business community because critical habitat designations often stymie
growth and development. That is why it is important to reexamine the Act, and identify needed
reforms, in a thoughtful and inclusive manner.
The Chamber commends you for your leadership on ESA reform and looks forward to
working with you to address this important issue.
Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten
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