Case Overview

Kansas Natural Resource Coalition v. Department of Interior
In 2003, the Fish and Wildlife Service created the Policy for Evaluating Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE Rule). This very helpful rule encourages states, local governments, property owners, and environmentalists to collaborate on innovative conservation programs. The resulting management plans have proven successful. The Kansas Natural Resource Coalition (KNRC), for example, has developed a conservation plan to keep the lesser prairie chicken off the endangered species list. Although the content of the rule enjoys rare bipartisan support, the Service never submitted the PECE Rule to Congress as required by the Congressional Review Act (CRA). On behalf of KNRC, PLF has filed a lawsuit demanding that the Service submit its rule to Congress so it can legally take effect and allow good conservation work to continue.