WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today questioned Martha Williams, nominee to be Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) of the Department of the Interior.

HIGHLIGHTS:

FULL TRANSPARENCY WITH CONGRESS: “This happens on both sides of the aisle, whoever is the president and the opposite party. I think more information is better and there’s no reason to hide why decisions are made. So I’m asking you pledge an oral pledge of transparency and full open door policy so we can have that give-and-take that I think is so critical.”

CONSIDERING ALL IMPACTS: “The Fish and Wildlife Service, I believe under your leadership, has announced intentions to revisit Endangered Species Act (ESA) language that references economic impacts. Do you believe that economic impacts should be considered when making an ESA listing or determination?”

WORKING WITH STATES AND PRIVATE LAND OWNERS: “In 2019, the service repealed the so-called ‘blanket 4(d) rule’ for threatened species. The previous administration cited the Obama administration’s shift to more tailored rules to increase state flexibility and encourage private land owners to recovered species, but the service recently announced its intent to undo this reform. How has your experience as a state wildlife official informed your view on the role of 4(d) rules and regulatory relief?...You mentioned in your opening statement and in your response to Chairman Carper too, the importance of private land owners as partners in conservation. Can you expand upon that a little bit?”

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