[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H1287-H1288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


THE PROPOSAL TO LIST THE ARKANSAS RIVER SHINER AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 1995, the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. Lucas] is recognized 
during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues if you are fishing in 
the Arkansas River Basin, you had better watch what you put on your 
hook. There is a mighty dangerous little bait fish lurking in the 
basin's waters when there is water in the basin.
  This little bait fish might have the power to stop those in the 
agriculture industry from irrigating their land, or protecting their 
crops. This little bait fish might inhibit rural towns from utilizing 
their primary water sources. This little bait fish might even stop a 
major metropolitan area from completing its $250 million downtown 
restoration project which is crucial to its economic future. Yes my 
colleagues should know there is a dangerous little bait fish lurking in 
the river.
  The Fish and Wildlife Service is considering whether to put the 
Arkansas River shiner on the endangered species list. As a new Member 
of Congress, I am truly underwhelmed by my first dealings with this 
segment of our Nation's Government. On September 15, 1994, I joined 
Congressman Pat Roberts of Kansas, and Congressman Larry Combest of 
Texas in sending a letter to Ms. Mollie H. Beattie, the Director of the 
Fish and Wildlife Service, expressing our thoughts on the Arkansas 
River shiner proposal. To date, neither of my colleagues nor I have 
received a formal reply.
  In our letter, we stated that we were concerned that the listing of 
the Arkansas River shiner could result in land- and water-use 
restrictions and other prohibitions that preclude full economic use of 
property, lower property values, and decimate the economies of the 
communities in the area. We further urged the Fish and Wildlife Service 
or an appropriate Government agency to conduct an assessment of the 
economic impact of any proposal to preserve this little bait fish.
  In recent history, western Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, and western 
Kansas were the heart of the legendary Dust Bowl. One generation 
removed from today's watched as their top soil dried up and blew away. 
The fact that thriving economies have developed on this once barren 
land is a testament to the drive and fortitude of the people that live 
there and their ability to use 
 [[Page H1288]] the resources available to them. The most important of 
these resources is water. All of us who live in the region will fight 
any attempts to turn back the clock of progress.
  While I believe the Endangered Species Act is important, I believe as 
written it is flawed because of its lack of human compassion. Economic 
impact and private property rights must be taken into account in future 
draftings of the act.
  Many of my colleagues know, there is a strong push in the early days 
of the 104th Congress to put a moratorium on any future endangered 
species listings until the act is reauthorized. I support this effort 
wholeheartedly and have cosponsored both the Farm, Ranch and Homestead 
Protection Act of 1995 by Mr. Smith and the Endangered Species 
Moratorium Act by Mr. Bonilla. I would urge my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Beware, there is probably a little minnow lurking somewhere in your 
district too.


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