Cattlemen Cautious About Habitat's Role In Species Conservation

August 20, 1999

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association wants the federal government to be careful when streamlining the critical habitat designation process so scientific requirements are not compromised or land owners compelled to shoulder more burdens than they do now. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is clarifying the role of habitats to help in species recoveries.

NCBA, in comments on the FWS's notice of intent, questioned the degree to which the current process can be streamlined through guidance without making changes to the legislation that governs the program. The organization also questioned the effects of FWS being allowed to disregard the Endangered Species Act's mandate to designate critical habitat and establish parameters to identify "recovery habitat" during the recovery planning process instead.

In such a situation, NCBA anticipates that FWS would not provide the same opportunity for equitable stakeholder input and participation. The identification of "recovery habitat" also would eliminate the requirement to conduct an economic analysis when designating critical habitat, according to NCBA.

"A broader, less resource-intensive process might not provide the benefits taht the current habitat designation process can provide," said Judy Woodie, chair of NCBA"s Endangered Species Subcommittee. Woodie says such benefits that no longer may be available include increased land owner certainty, additional opportunity for public input and the opportunity to assess the economic and social impacts of designation. That requires FWS to focus conservation measures within more defined boundaries rather than an across the board approach.