Thompson and Young's Bill Helps Landowners Implement Endangered Species Recovery Plans
March 8, 2007
Bill Provides Landowners Incentives for Habitat Conservation and Species Recovery
Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Rep. Don Young (R-AK) introduced the Endangered Species Recovery Act, which would provide landowners with tax incentives if they agree to implement species recovery plans. To qualify for the tax incentives, landowners must demonstrate that animals listed as endangered or threatened live or migrate through their property. In addition, the landowner must implement a government-approved recovery plan designed to reverse the decline of the listed species.
“Americans have always loved the great outdoors for our country's diversity of fish and wildlife,” said Thompson. “We should do everything we can to provide incentives to landowners to help recover our endangered and threatened species. This bill will help the government create positive partnerships with landowners to implement effective recovery plans nationwide.”
“For too long, private property owners have suffered under the Endangered Species Act,” said Young. “An overwhelming majority of these owners are strong conservationists who want to help in the recovery of species but they have been the victims of the restrictions mandated by the original law. This is a fair bill that works in the best interests of landowners and our threatened and endangered species. It's truly a bi-partisan, multi-interest bill that will help attain our goals of treating property owners fairly and safeguarding species that need their land for their recovery.”
Landowners can qualify under the Endangered Species Recovery Act by agreeing to implement land management practices that coincide with pre-approved species recovery plans. The agreements must include a schedule, deadline and monitoring system. Reps. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and Ron Kind (D-WI) joined Thompson and Young today to introduce this bill. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senator Mike Crapo (D-ID) introduced companion legislation in the Senate last week. The Endangered Species Recovery Act has been endorsed by dozens of wildlife conservation and sporting organizations, including the American Sportfishing Association, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Environmental Defense, National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and the National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition. The American Farm Bureau also supports this bill.
“Americans have always loved the great outdoors for our country's diversity of fish and wildlife,” said Thompson. “We should do everything we can to provide incentives to landowners to help recover our endangered and threatened species. This bill will help the government create positive partnerships with landowners to implement effective recovery plans nationwide.”
“For too long, private property owners have suffered under the Endangered Species Act,” said Young. “An overwhelming majority of these owners are strong conservationists who want to help in the recovery of species but they have been the victims of the restrictions mandated by the original law. This is a fair bill that works in the best interests of landowners and our threatened and endangered species. It's truly a bi-partisan, multi-interest bill that will help attain our goals of treating property owners fairly and safeguarding species that need their land for their recovery.”
Landowners can qualify under the Endangered Species Recovery Act by agreeing to implement land management practices that coincide with pre-approved species recovery plans. The agreements must include a schedule, deadline and monitoring system. Reps. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and Ron Kind (D-WI) joined Thompson and Young today to introduce this bill. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senator Mike Crapo (D-ID) introduced companion legislation in the Senate last week. The Endangered Species Recovery Act has been endorsed by dozens of wildlife conservation and sporting organizations, including the American Sportfishing Association, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Environmental Defense, National Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and the National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition. The American Farm Bureau also supports this bill.
Issues:Energy & Environment