FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on Endangered Species Act Consultation Processes

Original title: ESA CONSULTATION IMPEDIMENTS TO ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

January 1, 2017

Endangered Species Act Infrastructure Economic Development Federal Oversight Environmental Regulation

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

The Frame

What this does

This hearing explored potential legislative or procedural changes to the Endangered Species Act consultation process, which dictates how federal agencies must review infrastructure projects for environmental impacts.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Infrastructure developers

These entities must navigate the ESA consultation process to receive federal approval for projects.

Environmental conservation organizations

These groups advocate for the enforcement of the ESA and participate in the regulatory review process.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2017.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on March 28, 2017, to examine how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation process affects economic and infrastructure development projects. Witnesses provided testimony on the challenges and regulatory hurdles associated with federal environmental compliance.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on March 28, 2017, in the Longworth House Office Building.
The subject was the impact of Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations on economic and infrastructure development.
Witnesses included representatives from the American Public Works Association, Defenders of Wildlife, Hecla Mining Company, and the Pacific Legal Foundation.
The hearing was conducted by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Additional materials submitted for the record included a memo from Rep. Donald S. Beyer regarding funding for endangered species conservation and a letter from the Williamson County Conservation Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of an ESA consultation?

Under the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service to ensure that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species.

Who testified at this hearing?

Witnesses included Doug Stiles (Hecla Mining Company), Ronald J. Calkins (American Public Works Association), Ya-Wei (Jake) Li (Defenders of Wildlife), and Jonathan Wood (Pacific Legal Foundation).

Why It Matters

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Regulatory Impediments

The hearing reflects a specific 2017 legislative focus on identifying and potentially reducing regulatory burdens associated with the Endangered Species Act.

Committee on Natural Resources

Connected Entities

organizationCommittee on Natural Resources“House Committee overseeing the hearing”Map →

personRaul R. Labrador“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations”Map →

personYa-Wei (Jake) Li“Vice President, Defenders of Wildlife”Map →

personRonald J. Calkins“President, American Public Works Association”Map →

personA. Donald McEachin“Ranking Democratic Member of the Subcommittee”Map →

personDoug Stiles“General Manager, Hecla Mining Company”Map →

personJonathan Wood“Staff Attorney, Pacific Legal Foundation”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance60
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy50
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools