Mollie Matteson’s recent op-ed (“What do Tea Party Republicans have against the long-eared bat?,” Sept. 15) goes to great lengths to criticize public officials for doing precisely what we elect public officials to do: listen to us, their constituents.
In the debate over whether to list the northern long-eared bat as an endangered species, those constituents include, among others, members of the scientific community; farmers; and those who work to improve the environment through safe shale development, as our members do.
Our organization, for one, appreciates that Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn Thompson brought the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee to Harrisburg to hear from their constituents about this important subject. Our organization provided testimony, as did Ms. Matteson and hers, the Center for Biological Diversity.
Because shale development activities are localized and do not have population-level effects on the northern long-eared bat, these activities are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species.
Still, our industry relies on continual research, facts and sound science; and we are committed to doing things right. That is why a broad-based, industry-led group is working on a range-wide habitat conservation plan for the northern long-eared bat and the Indiana bat.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has extended the comment period on this subject until April 2015, giving constituents, and representatives of both parties, even more time to express their opinions. Our organization will remain an active and engaged partner in this ongoing issue, and we would expect others to do the same.
Jim Welty
Vice President, Government Affairs
Marcellus Shale Coalition
Harrisburg, Pa.
NOTE: Click HERE to view this letter online.
