[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 7, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H8806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  KANSANS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN LAND

  (Mr. ESTES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Promoting Local 
Management of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Act. Kansas energy producers 
and ranchers are excellent stewards of the land and resources. They 
work tirelessly to feed, fuel, and clothe our Nation while taking 
voluntary proactive measures to protect the lesser prairie-chicken's 
habitat.
  The U.S. Fish and Wildfire Service's inclusion of the lesser prairie-
chicken on the threatened and endangered species list is nonfactual and 
disregards the preservation efforts of our energy producers and 
ranchers who best know their land.
  After a yearlong species status assessment, the Federal Government 
spent millions to conclude that the lesser prairie-chicken population 
is stable and has grown.
  Its inclusion on the threatened and endangered species list is 
detrimental to our robust ag and energy industries, blatant 
bureaucratic overreach, and is another example of the Biden 
administration's hindering American energy independence.
  My legislation stops Washington elites from undermining voluntary 
public-private conservation practices and ensures Kansans control our 
land.

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