WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., issued the following statement today after learning from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Director Dan Ashe that the lesser prairie chicken will be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act:

“Listing the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the Endangered Species Act will have real consequences on many sectors in communities across Kansas including agriculture, oil and gas development, ranching, transportation and wind energy. I am confident there are ways to address conserving the species while not hampering economic growth and farming and ranching activities. As conservation efforts are considered, producers deserve the flexibility to implement plans that fit their operations. Additionally, it will be imperative to account for ongoing species recovery developments. I am committed to working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to make certain the measures implemented are based on sound science and common sense, as well as represent the best interest of producers.”

Gov. Sam Brownback offered the following statement:

“This is an overreach on the part of the federal government, and I am concerned about the effect this designation will have on Kansans and the Kansas economy. We are looking at possible responses on this issue.”