Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Lucas today made the following statement after the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

“I was disappointed the Fish and Wildlife Service announced the listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken as threatened under the Endangered Species Act,” said Congressman Frank Lucas. “I believe the conservation efforts seen in the five-range states were more than sufficient to warrant a non-listing of the LPC. While I understand the importance of conserving the species, this means Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and energy producers will have to abide to an additional layer of burdensome regulations.

“Looking forward, it is my hope the Obama Administration will realize saddling Americans with additional regulatory burdens through arbitrary means is harmful to the economy. The efforts by Oklahomans to conserve the species were and continue to be unprecedented. As the Congressman representing the Third District, I will continue working with stakeholders to preserve the future of the industries important to Oklahoma and the rest of the country.”

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