Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) has introduced the Biodiversity Oversight Scaled-back And Fully Erased (BIOSAFE) Act, co-led by Congressman Tom Tiffany (R-WI). This bill aims to prevent the Biden Administration from centralizing final authority on conservation decisions, which would prioritize federal initiatives over local efforts.
The Biden Administration is currently advancing a rule through the Department of Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that would alter the decision-making process. The proposed changes would transfer final policy decisions for local hunters and anglers to officials at the National Wildlife Refuge System in Washington, D.C., effectively diminishing the role of local biologists.
The BIOSAFE Act has garnered support from organizations such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports.
“I am proud to introduce this bill because it is important to protect our local hunters and conservationists from the Biden Administration’s Washington-first agenda,” said Grothman. “I firmly believe in protecting our most precious natural resources for future generations to enjoy... It would be wholly inappropriate for Washington bureaucrats to come in and override decisions made by Wisconsin citizens, hunters, fishermen, and local Refuge managers.”
Tiffany echoed these sentiments: “The Biden Administration has a long history of putting their far-left agenda ahead of the livelihoods of our nation’s hunters and anglers... The BIOSAFE Act is crucial to keeping local habitat management and hunting regulations out of the hands of DC’s unelected bureaucrats.”
Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel, stated: “This legislation prevents climate change activism from overtaking true conservation of America’s wildlife... The proposed BIDEH rule risks that by putting political agendas ahead of sound science.”
Steven Leath, Executive Director of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, added: “Responsible conservationists need an immediate remedy to the Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health rule... The BIOSAFE Act will restore intelligent management of refuges including effective habitat management.”
On February 2, 2024, USFWS proposed the "National Wildlife Refuge System; Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health" (BIDEH) rule. If finalized, it would enact new regulations prioritizing federal policies over established local strategies. Public feedback during a 60-day commentary period included approximately 40,000 criticisms.
Without congressional intervention as highlighted during a hearing by the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife ,and Fisheries many local conservationists may face stringent restrictions. The BIOSAFE Act mandates that the Secretary of Interior withdraws this proposed rule.
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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) is serving his fifth term representing Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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