Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and officials from the Biden-Harris Administration. The lawsuit challenges the recent listing of seven freshwater mussel species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Attorney General Paxton expressed his concerns stating, "The Biden-Harris Administration is, once again, weaponizing environmental law to target the State of Texas." He emphasized that the lawsuit aims to prevent federal actions that he believes could harm Texas's economy and interfere with state-led conservation efforts.
In June 2024, a final rule was published by the Service classifying several mussel species as threatened or endangered. This decision brought about regulatory restrictions affecting habitat areas and conservation programs. However, according to Paxton, these actions did not adhere to ESA procedures and requirements.
Federal law mandates that Texas's existing conservation efforts should be considered in such listings. Decisions must rely on the best available data and be issued promptly. Furthermore, when designating habitat protections for listed species, economic impacts must be evaluated. The lawsuit claims that these requirements were not met by the Service, leading to restrictive regulations that could hinder economic development in Texas while disrupting local conservation initiatives.
For more details on this legal filing, additional information can be accessed through official channels.