No FED in West Texas Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
- Committees
- Environment and Public Works Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Apr 28, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to prevent the federal government from expanding or altering land management practices at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge as outlined in a specific federal plan.
What it actually does
This bill prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing a specific Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, which was published by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in February 2023. It also prevents the implementation of any substantially similar land protection plan for the refuge.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill prevents federal overreach and protects local land use and private property rights from potential federal expansion or new regulations. They contend that the proposed Land Protection Plan may be unnecessary or overly burdensome, and that local communities should have a greater say in land management decisions affecting their areas.
Opponents contend
Opponents contend that this bill undermines critical conservation efforts for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, potentially hindering the protection of vital wildlife habitats and species. They argue that the Land Protection Plan was developed to ensure the long-term ecological health of the refuge and that its prohibition disregards scientific land management recommendations.
The bill text is exceptionally brief and can be read in under a minute, allowing ample time for a thorough consideration of its policy implications.
Section 2
Prohibition on Muleshoe NWR Land Protection Plan Implementation
This section explicitly forbids the Secretary of the Interior from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing the "Final Land Protection Plan & Environmental Assessment Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge" dated February 2023. It further extends this prohibition to any other land protection plan that is substantially similar to the one described, effectively halting any new land acquisition or significant management changes proposed under that specific federal plan for the refuge.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is crucial for preventing federal expansion and ensuring that land management decisions remain sensitive to local interests and property rights in West Texas. They may believe the existing management framework for Muleshoe NWR is adequate or that the proposed plan was an overreach.
Critics contend
Opponents contend that this provision directly obstructs vital conservation efforts for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, potentially jeopardizing critical habitats and species that the Land Protection Plan was designed to safeguard. They argue it prioritizes other interests over the ecological health and long-term viability of the refuge.
Tradeoffs
This provision navigates the tension between federal mandates for wildlife conservation and local concerns about federal land expansion and property rights. It trades off potential ecological benefits from an updated land protection plan against the desire to limit federal government intervention in regional land use.