WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced the Native Species Protection Act, which empowers states with the authority to manage wildlife species found entirely within their borders, without federal interference. The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).

“It's time to pivot from the one-size-fits-all approach of the Endangered Species Act,” said Sen. Lee. “We need a better approach to protect endangered and threatened species, and the Native Species Protection Act proposes a solution where conservation is local, sensible, and leaps beyond the inefficiencies plaguing the ESA.”

The Native Species Protection Act amends the current scope of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), by specifying that noncommercial species that do not cross state lines are to be considered intrastate species. Consequently, these species would not fall under the regulatory purview of the ESA, allowing state and local authorities to take the lead in conservation efforts.

For a one-pager, click HERE.

For bill text, click HERE.