ESA Subject of House Science Committee Hearing

The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a hearing on the nexus of science and policy related to the Endangered Species Act on October 13. 

In his opening statement, Subcommittee Chairman Broun (R-Ga.) called for an overhaul of the Endangered Species Act.  He said that U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Wanger statements on the Delta Smelt Biological opinion have “attracted this Subcommittee’s attention” and he quoted Judge Wanger’s criticism of Interior Department scientists.

A variety of government and academic witnesses testified at the hearing including the Honorable Craig Manson, General Counsel, Westlands Water District.  In his testimony he too highlighted Judge Wanger’s recent decision. 

“Most recently, a federal judge excoriated not just an agency, but two individual scientists by name for misleading the court. The judge said that the scientists were engaged in "an attempt to mislead and to deceive the court into accepting what is not only not the best available since, it's not science." He went on to say that "There can be no acceptance by a court of the United States of the conductthat has been engaged in this case by these witnesses."  

Democrats on the Subcommittee defended the ESA.  Subcommittee Ranking Member Donna Edwards (D- Md.) said, “Let’s make no mistake about it, the Endangered Species Act, when it is allowed to work, protects wildlife from utter destruction.”