{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-reforms-create-transparency-endangered-species-listings", "House Passes Reforms to Create Transparency in Endangered Species Listings", "2014-07-29", "2014", "2014-07", "Republican", "House", "CO", "Scott Tipton", "T000470", "tipton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, the House passed legislation co-sponsored by Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) to increase transparency under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by providing updates to ensure that the best publicly available scientific data is being utilized by the federal government when making listing decisions.\n \n\t\u201cUnder the existing, outdated process, the federal government is not required to publicly disclose scientific data being used, or even consider data submitted by state, county and tribal governments when listing under the Endangered Species Act. If federal agencies are utilizing the best possible science to ensure the protection of a species, then there should be nothing to hide. Given the abysmal recovery success rate of two percent for the 1,500 species currently listed, I have more than a hunch that better scientific data is available and should be put to use\u2014which is exactly why we need transparency. Despite copious testimony from biologists that localized preservation efforts, which take into account the unique topography and ecology in each specific region, are the most effective ways to establish a thriving species population, federal bureaucrats continue to insist on one-size-fits all approaches that oftentimes encompass millions of acres across numerous states. It\u2019s well past time that the Fish and Wildlife Service be held to a more transparent and accountable standard,\u201d said Tipton. \u201cWe are seeing this lack of transparency right here in Colorado with regard to the proposed sage grouse ESA listings. Not only have federal agencies refused to disclose the scientific data on which they are relying to determine potential listings, they have failed to even provide preservation goals to the state, despite repeated calls to do so. The legislation we passed today in the House will bring greater transparency to the ESA process by requiring federal agencies to disclose scientific data, cooperate with state and local governments, and ensure that the listing process works to the best interest of a species and impacted communities, and not for self-serving bureaucratic ends or to advance the goals of special interests.\u201d\n \nIn an April House Natural Resources Committee hearing, Dr. Rob Roy Ramey II, a biologist from Nederland, Colorado, testified that the lack of transparency raises serious concerns about the data being relied on for ESA listings. Read Ramey\u2019s full testimony HERE. Additional testimony on the effectiveness of localized species preservation efforts versus blanket approaches can be found HERE.\n \n\t\u201cWhen data are not publicly accessible, legitimate scientific inquiry is effectively eliminated as no third party can independently reproduce the results. Such secrecy does not further the goal of species recovery,\u201d testified Ramey. \u201cSuch secrecy also puts the evidentiary basis of some resource agency decisions outside the realm of science and in clear violation of the Information Quality Act. And finally, it has the effect of concentrating power, money, and regulatory authority in the hands of those who control access to the data.\u201d\n \nBackground on the House-passed ESA legislation courtesy of the House Natural Resources Committee:\nThe 21st Century Endangered Species Transparency Act (comprised of four ESA bills\u2014H.R. 4315, H.R. 4316, H.R. 4317 and H.R. 4318\u2014passed in Committee in April) would:\n Require data used by federal agencies for ESA listing decisions to be made publicly available and accessible through the Internet, while respecting state data privacy laws and private property. (Sec. 2 reflects the text of H.R. 4315 as reported)\n\tRequire the federal government to disclose to affected states data used prior to an ESA listing decision and it would require the \u201cbest available scientific and commercial data\u201d used by the federal government to incorporate data provided by states, tribes, and local county governments. (Sec. 3 reflects the text of H.R. 4317)\n\tRequire the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to track, report to Congress, and make available online the federal taxpayer funds used to respond to ESA lawsuits, the number of employees dedicated to ESA litigation, and attorneys\u2019 fees awarded in the course of ESA litigation and settlement agreements. (Sec. 4 reflects the text of H.R. 4316)\n\tPrioritize species protection and protect taxpayer dollars by placing reasonable caps on attorneys\u2019 fees to make the ESA consistent with existing federal law. For example, the federal government limits the prevailing attorneys\u2019 fees to $125 per hour in most circumstances, including federal suits involving veterans, Social Security, and disability. But under the ESA, attorneys are being awarded huge sums, in many cases, at a rate much as $600 per hour. (Sec. 5 reflects the text of H.R. 4318)\n More information on ESA and today\u2019s legislation is available HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-reforms-create-transparency-endangered-species-listings"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8424515835940838, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}