{"id":634317,"date":"2018-10-11T12:31:55","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T18:31:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=634317"},"modified":"2018-10-11T12:31:55","modified_gmt":"2018-10-11T18:31:55","slug":"would-a-shift-to-state-power-endanger-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2018\/10\/would-a-shift-to-state-power-endanger-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Would a shift to state power endanger species?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Mexican

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service<\/p>

A Mexican gray wolf at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.<\/p><\/div>\n

A fight is brewing over the Endangered Species Act after congressional Republicans and federal agencies this year proposed major changes, including shifting more control over species protection to the states.<\/p>\n

Many states, especially Western ones with vast expanses of federal land, have long pushed for changes to the law. But what seemed unlikely under prior administrations has a better shot under the Trump presidency.<\/p>\n

A package of bills introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by members of the Congressional Western Caucus, all with Republican sponsors, would alter how species are listed and habitat is protected. States are most focused on measures that would affect their power, including bills that would allow them greater say over which species get protections. A draft bill in the U.S. Senate being circulated by Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a Republican, would \u201celevate the role of state conservation agencies,\u201d according to a news release from the U.S. Senate committee he chairs.<\/p>\n