Resources Chairman James V. Hansen's Remarks for 02-16-02 Grand Island, NE Hearing

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I habitat for endangered species, habitat would be protected for many other valuable species as well, including a half - million sandhill cranes that provide a $25 to $50 million boost to the area economy each year through tourism. More water in the river would benefit drinking water supplies, by recharging municipal well fields in the valley. Moreover, all of this would be accomplished without significant changes in existing irrigation or power generation. A successful Cooperative Agreement could even serve as a national model that is used to resolve other ESA conflicts that may come down the road, both here and elsewhere. One of those issues may already be in sight with the designation of critical habitat for the piping plover, although I suspect that it will be far less complex than the central Platte. Certainly, the identification of critical habitat is an important part of the Endangered Species Act, because the decline of a species is often linked to its loss of habitat. However, the fact that so many people are concerned by this recent designation probably says more about people's perceptions of the law, than it does about its actual impact on landowners. There are other people here today who can better speak to those impacts and the science behind the designation. In our view, the uproar over the piping plover again points to the need for a more collaborative, incentive -based effort on private lands. For example, suppose for a moment that there was something like a CRP program for endangered species habitat on private lands, that paid landowners to continue the same sound stewardship that protected the habitat in the first place. Under this program, the designation of critical habitat would be akin to the designation of highly erodable land under the CRP Program, and give one a better chance of getting their land in the program. This could create a very different view of the designation and spur private conservation instead of fear in the affected area. These are the kinds of innovative solutions-that are needed to increase the effectiveness of the ESA, and the Platte River Cooperative Agreement is a huge step in the right direction. With a resolve to work together, along with sufficient funding and support from Congress, we can preserve both water use and wildlife in the Platte River Valley. The truth is, we can not afford to do anything less.