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3w ago

House Votes to Overturn Endangered Status for San Francisco Bay Longfin Smelt

The resolution, which now moves to the Senate, challenges Biden-era protections and raises legal questions about procedural deadlines.

A researcher measures, catalogues and packages an adult longfin smelt in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay in 2023. The smelt, a fundamental part of the food chain in the bay, is listed as endangered. House Republicans will vote on whether to rescind its status.
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Overview

  • The House of Representatives voted 216-195 to repeal the endangered species listing for the San Francisco Bay-Delta longfin smelt, citing water supply concerns.
  • The resolution, introduced by Rep. Doug LaMalfa under the Congressional Review Act, now awaits Senate approval and President Trump's signature.
  • Opponents, including environmental groups, argue the resolution violates procedural deadlines, claiming the review period expired in January.
  • The longfin smelt population has declined by over 99% since the 1980s, with federal protections requiring freshwater flows that conflict with agricultural and urban water demands.
  • If enacted, the resolution would prevent the fish from being re-listed as endangered in the future, intensifying debates over environmental policy and water management in California.