Central Coast, CA — April 23, 2026 — After widespread opposition from constituents and conservation groups, House leaders have indefinitely postponed a vote on the “ESA Amendments Act” (H.R. 1897), a proposal that would have gutted the Endangered Species Act. The bill was pulled from consideration on April 22 moments before it was scheduled for a vote, after mounting concerns about its impact on more than 1,700 protected plant and animal species across the country.
The proposed legislation by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) would have increased the involvement of states, tribes, and local governments in implementing the Endangered Species Act, while retaining federal authority, effectively shifting some decision-making influence away from federal agencies. It also would have expanded the authority of a politically-appointed panel that can approve species extinction decisions, and reduced safeguards that have been critical to preventing biodiversity loss for decades.
Los Padres ForestWatch joined nearly 300 organizations in signing a national letter opposing the legislation, alongside regional partners including the Environmental Defense Center, Gaviota Coast Conservancy, Keep Sespe Wild, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, and Ventana Wildlife Society.
“This is a clear example of how speaking out makes a difference, even when the odds seem stacked against us,” said Jeff Kuyper, Executive Director of Los Padres ForestWatch. “Constituents, scientists, and conservation organizations came together to push back against a proposal that would have plunged countless species towards extinction, and we’re encouraged to see lawmakers respond to that collective voice.”
For Los Padres National Forest, these protections are especially critical. Spanning nearly two million acres across California’s Central Coast, the forest provides habitat for at least 26 federally listed threatened or endangered wildlife species, the highest number of any national forest in California. The California condor continues its recovery in the backcountry, while rivers and streams support the endangered southern steelhead. With the bill pulled from consideration, other species found around our region will benefit from the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act, including San Joaquin kit foxes, California red-legged frogs, Smith’s blue butterflies, and California tiger salamanders, all of which depend on strong, science-based protections to survive.
While the delay is a significant victory for conservation, advocates caution that the bill has not been permanently defeated and could return for a vote in the future. It’s a meaningful step forward, but also a reminder that protecting our region’s imperiled wildlife requires us to stay organized, speak out, and remain vigilant.
Photo: Chris Trent
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About Los Padres ForestWatch
Los Padres ForestWatch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that protects wildlife, water, wilderness, and sustainable access throughout Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument through advocacy, education, and community engagement. Follow ForestWatch on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Bluesky. Learn more at forestwatch.org.
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