This week, the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), the American Petroleum Institute (API), and others filed joint supplemental comments on the proposed listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) as threatened under the ESA. The comments reiterate concerns that a potential listing of the LPC would likely have a drastic economic impact on landowners and industries in the species’ range. The Associations also note concerns regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) use of questionable scientific and commercial data in their decision making. According to the comments:
“The Associations have closely reviewed the data on which FWS based its proposal and are well versed on the materials submitted to the docket pursuant to its rulemaking. We continue to believe that the best available scientific and commercial information available require a determination that listing the LPC is not warranted at this time. Certainly, nothing filed in the docket since our initial comments on March 11, 2013 credibly cures the data deficiencies that FWS is attempting to address with this extension. If anything, the evidence weighing against a listing has been bolstered.”.
The comments were submitted jointly by IPAA, API, America’s Natural Gas Alliance, the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, International Association of Drilling Contractors, Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association of Oklahoma, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association and Western Energy Alliance. Read the full document HERE.
