[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 7 (Monday, January 13, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E29-E30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE WEIGH HABITATS OFFSETTING LOCATIONAL EFFECTS ACT OF 
                                  2020

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAN NEWHOUSE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 13, 2020

  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Weigh 
Habitats Offsetting Locational Effects Act of 2020, or the WHOLE Act. 
As Central Washingtonians know all-too-well, Endangered Species Act 
(ESA) listing and delisting decisions have huge, lasting impacts on 
local communities and environments. The ESA was signed into law to 
protect and revitalize species of endangered or threatened animals and 
wildlife, but as time passes, this law, which has not been updated 
since 1973, has had increased negative effects on local communities--
where the true impacts of species recovery unfold.
  Unfortunately, the law has been used as a political spearhead for 
frivolous litigation that can negatively affect private property 
rights, public land use decisions, and American jobs. And like many 
other regulations coming out of the nation's capital, relying on top-
down decisions from bureaucrats only limits economic prosperity, local 
conservation efforts, and the celebration of recovered species.
  Under current law, only conservation efforts taking place within the 
critical habitats of endangered or threatened species are considered 
during environmental reviews or impact studies of federal actions. But 
we know that habitats and ecosystems expand beyond arbitrary 
government-drawn lines.
  My legislation would ensure that all conservation measures are 
considered when federal decisions that impact ESA-listed species

[[Page E30]]

are being made. By establishing a process that considers the totality 
of conservation efforts, we incentivize private investment in species 
recovery, streamline federal decision-making, and promote the 
comprehensive efforts of states, local communities, and tribes.
  Efforts to strengthen the ESA are--and have been--ongoing. This 
legislation is part of a larger legislative package of 18 bills 
introduced by Members of the Congressional Western Caucus, a group of 
75 representatives who focus on addressing issues impacting local 
communities in the rural West and beyond, including strengthening and 
modernizing the ESA. As a Western Caucus Member, I am proud to work 
with my colleagues to advance priorities like this for Central 
Washington. The package also includes efforts I have supported in the 
past, such as ensuring the best available science is used to make ESA 
listing decisions and providing more transparency by making this data 
publicly available.
  By bringing the ESA into the 21st Century, the Western Caucus aims to 
create a more comprehensive, streamlined approach to species recovery, 
while ensuring our communities are not burdened by overregulation and 
misleading data. We should not tie our hands when it comes to species 
recovery. Using the best available science, considering all ongoing 
conservation measures, streamlining the process for listing decisions, 
and empowering state and local efforts will create a comprehensive 
approach to advance species recovery and fulfill the true intent of the 
ESA.
  The ESA was created to protect and recover endangered and threatened 
species. We must remain committed to this shared goal by strengthening 
and modernizing the Endangered Species Act for future generations. The 
WHOLE Act and these legislative efforts put forward by the Western 
Caucus are a strong step forward, so I humbly ask my colleagues to join 
me in supporting the WHOLE Act of 2020.

                          ____________________