Defenders Raises Alarm on Bill to Prevent Expansion of Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge

Defenders is raising the alarm on H.R. 839, Rep. Jodey Arrington’s (R-TX) bill “to prohibit the implementation of a Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.” If enacted, this bill would block the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Land Protection Plan” to expand the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. The plan, based on 15 years of collaborative research with the local community, allows for refuge expansion under land acquisition agreements with surrounding landowners who are willing to work with FWS.  

“It is unfortunate that Rep. Arrington is more concerned with pointing blame at the federal government than supporting the people and wildlife of Texas,” said Robert Dewey, vice president of government relations at Defenders of Wildlife. “The expansion of the Muleshoe refuge will provide much needed protection for Texas lands and wildlife with long-term benefits including clean water and air, as well as increased ecotourism.”  

Muleshoe is the oldest National Wildlife refuge in Texas. It protects important habitat in the Southern High Plains which includes Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, and serves as a breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. As part of the Land Protection Plan, a Texas landowner within the Muleshoe acquisition boundary can choose to sell or protect their land as part of the Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge.  

“The Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge is a jewel of Texas, with an abundance of nature and wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” said Dewey. “This bill would compromise the future of Texas wildlife and the entire Southeast High Plains region and undermine the sound management of the National Wildlife Refuge System.”

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