Buckeye Reporter

Congress members have expressed sharp criticism towards a proposed rule that would prioritize a climate change agenda over a proven hunting conservation strategy beneficial for wildlife conservation and sportsmen and women. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health (BIDEH) rule update has raised concerns about the potential negative impact it could have on wildlife conservation through hunting and angling.

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman highlighted the importance of proven conservation practices, stating, "I’ve seen on fish and wildlife refuges in my district where management practices have been put in place and the wildlife has flourished." He criticized the proposed rule for prioritizing environmentalist climate policies over effective conservation practices.

Representative Mary Peltola emphasized the significance of native Alaskan populations that rely on subsistence hunting, pointing out that the proposed BIDEH updates could have adverse effects on predator control and management. She noted that the rule would centralize authority with Washington, D.C., bureaucrats, disregarding the input of local stakeholders.

The concerns extended to agricultural practices on National Wildlife Refuges, with Representative Harriet Hageman and David Wielicki expressing worries about the potential elimination of vital food sources for migrating waterfowl. Wielicki highlighted the importance of agricultural production in providing energy for waterfowl during migration, emphasizing the efficiency of such practices in wildlife conservation.

Additionally, Representative Garret Graves questioned the lack of collaboration with conservation groups in crafting the proposed BIDEH updates, noting the absence of engagement with stakeholders most impacted by the policy changes. The involvement of anti-hunting organizations in supporting the rule was also highlighted, raising further concerns about the potential consequences of the proposed agenda.

The proposed BIDEH updates have stirred bipartisan angst in Congress, with members voicing apprehension over the rule that places environmentalist climate policies ahead of established conservation practices. The emphasis on a "woke" climate agenda over science-based wildlife conservation has sparked criticism for potentially jeopardizing the habitat and wildlife that sportsmen and women strive to conserve.

In conclusion, the proposed BIDEH updates have faced significant opposition from Congress, with concerns raised about the potential negative impact on wildlife conservation practices that have proven effective for decades. The prioritization of a climate change agenda over established conservation strategies has sparked bipartisan criticism, highlighting the importance of science-based wildlife management over political agendas.