Once found throughout short- and mid-grass prairies spanning five states, the Lesser Prairie-Chicken is now listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Listing the Lesser Prairie-Chicken as “threatened” means the species is in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future.
Landowners in the birds’ currently occupied area—Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico—will be affected by the recent decision.
FWS also included a final special rule under section 4(d) of the ESA that is supposed to limit the regulatory impacts on landowners and businesses from the listing.
“I don’t think it’s unexpected given the low numbers in the last count. The drought is a major factor here. We hope we can implement the right conservation measures and programs that benefit both landowners and the Lesser Prairie-Chicken,” said Texas Farm Bureau Associate Director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities Gene Richardson. “We hope we can de-list the bird again soon. These birds are resilient and with the programs we have, they should bounce back when the rains return.”