Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released a statement following U.S. District Judge David Counts’ order to lift environmental protections for the lesser prairie-chicken. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) requested Judge Counts vacate the 2022 decision that listed the bird as an endangered species, and Judge Counts granted their request. In 2021, under the Biden administration, the FWS relisted the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened and endangered species. In response, Rep. Estes introduced the Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Act in 2022. Rep. Estes has been active on this issue since the beginning of his tenure in Congress.

“The U.S. District Judge’s order to vacate a 2022 decision that granted the lesser prairie-chicken environmental protections is great news for Kansas farmers and energy producers. The inclusion of the lesser prairie-chicken on the endangered species list infringed upon the private property rights of Kansans for years,” said Rep. Estes. “Now the lesser prairie-chicken, and common sense Kansas farmers and ranchers, have been liberated from overbearing bureaucracy. Kansas agriculture and energy will benefit from this judicial decision, and I’m grateful President Trump and his administration advocated for this outcome.”

Background:

July 2024 – Rep. Estes Votes to Rein in D.C. Bureaucracy, Protect Kansans

November 2023 – Rep. Ron Estes Praises Restrictions to WOTUS, Limits on Lesser Prairie-Chicken Listing in Appropriations Bill

July 2023 – Rep. Estes Supports Lesser Prairie-Chicken Congressional Review Act

May 2023 – The Great Struggle Over the Lesser Prairie-Chicken

December 2022 – Rep. Estes Introduces Legislation to Protect Private Property Rights

June 2021 – Rep. Estes Leads Letter to Interior Secretary Haaland

May 2021 - Rep. Estes Reacts to Fish and Wildlife's Lesser Prairie-Chicken Announcement