IPAA Comments on U.S. FWS Proposal to List Two District Population Segments of the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the ESA

On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, IPAA submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ (FWS) proposed rules for listing two distinct populations of the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) as threatened with a 4(d) rule and endangered under the Endangered Species Act. IPAA argued against listing the bird as extensive work is ongoing for conservation efforts through the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the use of Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances. Furthermore, studies are ongoing about current bird populations that would be useful to the FWS for making an informed decision on listing.