Kansas passes law declaring that it outranks the feds on non-migratory birds like the prairie chicken

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, recently signed a bill intended to prevent federal regulation of the lesser prairie chicken, which in March was designated as a threatened species, Bryan Lowery reports for The Wichita Eagle. Brownback's bill "declares state sovereignty over non-migratory wildlife. It will allow the attorney general to block any attempts by the federal government to regulate the bird in court. Lawmakers ditched an earlier provision that would have enabled Kansas to fine or arrest federal employees attempting to enforce regulations on the birds." (Eagle photo by Michael Pearce)

Brownback said in a statement: “I continue to be very concerned about the validity and effect of this federal action. I will take every possible action to protect the rights of Kansans from the economic effects of this listing." (Read more)

The threatened-species listing for the fowl, which mainly live in Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Colorado, has angered some farmers and ranchers, who call the chickens an invasive species. The rule has sparked plenty of feedback, both positive and negative.