Federal Loans to Cities and Counties for Endangered Species Act Compliance (S. 1175)

What is S. 1175?

(Updated January 31, 2017)

This bill would require the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a loan program that would allow cities and counties to apply for what is known as a "Habitat Conservation Plan," a permit normally afforded private entities in order to undertake development that may incidentally result in the destruction of an endangered species. Loan applications would be sent to the Secretary of the Interior for review, and preference for loans would given to areas "in which rapid growth and development threaten successful implementation of approved habitat conservation plans."

Argument in favor

Balances development with conservation and targets biologically-rich areas where human populations are growing the fastest.

Argument opposed

Weakens the Endangered Species Act and verges on an earmark, taking federal tax dollars and giving them to cities and counties anxious to grow.

Impact

The bill impacts land use and what entities have say in the management of certain lands.

Cost of S. 1175

A CBO cost is currently unavailable.

Additional Info

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