April 13, 2018 — WASHINGTON — Legislation that would have the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hand its Endangered Species Act (ESA) authority over salmon and other fish to the Department of Interior (DOI) got a little dust kicked up around it on Thursday.
US representative Doug Lamborn, a Colorado Republican, suggested lawmakers take a fresh look at the Federally Integrated Species Health Act (FISH Act), HR 3916, at the beginning of a nearly two-hour hearing of the Natural Resources Committee’s panel on water, power and oceans that he chairs. The hearing was intended to discuss the fiscal 2019 budgets for NOAA and other agencies.
“Whether it comes to offshore fishing or management of fish species listed under the Endangered Species Act, NOAA has been a source of frustration for many of our constituents over the years,” Lamborn said. “… Both [Interior’s] Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA have direct jurisdiction over the ESA and have struggled to harmonize their views on protected species management. It’s time for a holistic approach on managing these species.”
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