Washington, D.C. - Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, today said that Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) decision to propose a 'threatened' listing for the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is great news for Oklahoma because it provides a crucial step towards achieving a 'not-warranted' decision in the coming months. FWS Director Dan Ashe contacted Senator Inhofe this morning to deliver the news; he explained that before the listing is final, there is "still a good chance we can get to a 'not warranted' decision" due to the successful voluntary efforts put forth by Oklahoma stakeholders to preserve the species. Director Ashe also committed to holding a hearing on the decision in Woodward, Oklahoma on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 6:30 pm at the High Plains Technology Center.
