Statement from the Association on Final Revisions to Implementation of the Endangered Species Act

August 13, 2019

On Monday, August 12, Mr. David Bernhardt, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, and Mr. Wilbur Ross, Secretary of the Department of Commerce, announced final regulatory changes to the administration of the federal Endangered Species Act. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) appreciates the Departments’ due diligence in managing this important federal law through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Mr. Ed Carter, President of the Association, and Executive Director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency noted that “State fish and wildlife agencies are on the front lines of managing, restoring, and conserving federally listed threatened and endangered species. We look forward to working with our federal partners to achieve continuing success unto that end.”

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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.