Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) introduced H.R. 4465, the “Endangered Fish Recovery Programs Extension Act of 2017” on November 28, 2017. The bill would help to conserve four key species in the Upper Colorado and San Juan Rivers by re-authorizing an existing recovery programs through 2023. The programs are designed to assist species recovery and facilitate decisions on water-related development proposals spanning five mountain states with a focus on four key fishes: bonytail chub (Gila elegans), the Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheulus lucius), the razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), and the humpback chub (Gila cypha).
This program provides streamlined Endangered Species Act compliance so that water development can proceed as fish populations recover. Water development projects can change river flows and temperature, and block fish migration. The Recovery Program uses science and partnerships to manage those threats and support fish recovery in a way that minimizes impacts to water users. The overarching goal of the program is to achieve delisting of the endangered fishes, rather than simply offsetting impacts of water project depletions.
The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the bill this week.
Legislative Hearing on Bill Funding Fish Recovery Programs
Wednesday, December 6, 2017 10:00 AM
Water, Power and Oceans
1324 Longworth House Office Building Washington D.C. 20515
Check out a related article by Rob Hotakainen of E&E News.