Odd Ball SCR1013 - 511R - S Ver of SCR1013

Senate Engrossed

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-first Legislature

First Regular Session

2013

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1013

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

supporting efforts to update the endangered species act.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed in 1973 to safeguard the existence and recovery of fish, wildlife and plants that are so depleted in numbers they are in danger of or threatened with extinction; and

Whereas, in its fortieth year and more than 2000 species listings later, only one percent of the listed species have been recovered and delisted as a result of implementation of the Act; and

Whereas, sixty percent of critical habitat for listed species in the United States is located on nonfederal lands and dependent on the stewardship of private and state management; and

Whereas, there are 62 species of plants and animals listed as either threatened or endangered in Arizona and 23 more on the candidate list; and

Whereas, Arizona communities have been negatively impacted by implementation actions of the ESA, leading to catastrophic wildfires, public lands road closures, undue regulatory burdens on agriculture and mining, increased budgetary stress on military installations and general uncertainty for Arizona industries; and

Whereas, implementation of the ESA has endangered the sustainability of Arizona's natural resources by restricting the ability of federal and state agencies to adaptively manage those resources for multiple uses; and

Whereas, the ESA has not been amended since 1988 or reauthorized since 1992 and has become outdated, unworkable and unsuccessful for its intended purpose of species recovery; and

Whereas, the efforts of our nation and state and of citizens to recover listed species can be successful only when those citizens, specifically landowners and lessees, embrace the ESA with incentive-based acts of confidence, free from fear of retribution or litigation; and

Whereas, implementation of the ESA should be based on sound science and must take into account the local economy, customs and culture; and

Whereas, it is in our best interest to manage our natural resources to promote protection, conservation and maintenance of a vibrant economy through mining, agriculture and tourism.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature support efforts of the Congress of the United States to update the Endangered Species Act to improve its effectiveness in protecting and recovering Arizona's threatened and endangered species while rewarding landowner and lessee involvement, promoting productivity, ensuring vibrant and sustainable natural resources for future generations and relieving Arizona from burdensome regulatory measures that have been harmful to this State and ineffective in furthering the intent of the Act.