On Monday, the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) submitted a letter of support for the Endangered Species Act Amendments (ESA) of 2025 Act (H.R. 1897) to the House Natural Resource Committee leadership and Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries subcommittee leadership in advance of their hearing on Tuesday, March 25.
This act initiates key reforms to the ESA that will fundamentally alter and improve the implementation of this massive, historical piece of legislation that has shaped land management across the nation for decades. ESA reform, like this act proposes, is critical to optimizing conservation efforts, increasing efficiency in processes, and managing natural resources in the most effective and practical manner.
A major source of frustration of ESA processes falls within Title III. Species frequently maintain their threatened or endangered status even after Species Status Assessments (SSA’s) clearly show a recovered population—in short, the goalpost for recovery continues to move to fit political agendas. If these amendments are adopted, there will finally be an unmoving delisting target. The amendments also require federal agencies to establish objective, incremental recovery goals for threatened species, and provide regulatory relief as recovery goals are met. Once all recovery goals are met, the Services would transition the species to state management in preparation for delisting.
“The Montana Stockgrowers is encouraged to see this act brought forward and emphatically supports H.R. 1897,” shared MSGA Executive Vice President Raylee Honeycutt. “MSGA has long supported ESA reform and this act addresses many of the biggest concerns of ranchers across the country who live with ESA species on a daily basis.”
The proposed changes under Title IV emphasize accountability and transparency in species recovery. These changes would compel the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to look at species designations holistically, utilizing the best available data. The analysis of economic and national security impacts for each listing and critical habitat designation will provide stakeholders, state and federal agencies with a complete picture of the impacts of a decision.
Finally, the act encourages and incentivizes non-lethal management and voluntary conservation efforts. It rewards management strategy by pausing critical habitat designation as private landowners implement land management plans that conserve the affected species. Ranchers have been managing this way for decades, and we look forward to seeing the fruits of their labor taken into consideration in decisions.
The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With 140-years of history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.
MSGA MEDIA CONTACT:
Cheyenne Leach
Communications and Program Coordinator
406-442-3420
To view more MSGA news, visit https://mtbeef.org/news/
