Dan Keppen, the executive director of the Family Farm Alliance, has expressed support for the ESA Amendments Act of 2025. He said that the amendments would modernize existing laws and offer federal agencies clearer guidance on enforcement.
"The federal government's significant presence in the Western U.S. presents unique challenges for farmers, ranchers, and water managers," said Keppen, according to House Committee on Natural Resources. "This is particularly true with respect to the implementation of the ESA, which impacts the management of land and water throughout the West. The Family Farm Alliance strongly supports the “ESA Amendments Act of 2025. We thank Chairman Westerman for his leadership on this important bill."
In a press release dated October 2, 2024, Keppen announced his decision to step down from his role as executive director. "In March 2025, I’ll turn 60, which marks the 20th anniversary of serving as executive director for the Alliance. Next year seems like a logical, symbolic time to hand the reins over to someone else. Plus, the Alliance’s financial position has never been stronger," he said.
Keppen further mentioned his future plans: "I will continue to provide communications, policy, and technical consulting on Western water issues, although I hope to ramp down the time commitments a bit and spend more time with my family."
According to Paul Orme, president of the Family Farm Alliance board, "The Alliance are the masters of that – working with reasonable NGO groups, Democrats and Republicans...Dan Keppen epitomized that philosophy and set the gold standard for executive director."
