Lubbock Times

Washington, D.C. – Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued a statement today in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed expansion of the Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge from 6,400 acres to 700,000 acres through land purchases with willing sellers and voluntary conservation easements.

“I have two major concerns about a ‘voluntary’ public land expansion by the federal government: I don’t believe this is a good use of taxpayer dollars; and, there’s no such thing as a ‘voluntary’ government program,” Arrington stated. “I have shared my serious concerns with the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, am in close communication with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and will fight to defend West Texas against even a hint of federal overreach.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently finalized a plan that allows the agency to purchase private lands or acquire conservation easements from willing sellers on up to 700,000 acres in Texas and New Mexico. This effort aims to expand the effective conservation footprint of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.

The plan authorizes FWS to purchase land or conservation easements from willing sellers within the project boundaries.

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