The office of U.S. Representative Jodey Arrington announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Trump administration, has canceled the Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. This decision ends the Biden administration's proposed 10,000% expansion, according to a press release.
The Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Texas Panhandle, was established in 1935 to protect habitats for migratory birds, particularly sandhill cranes. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge covers approximately 6,440 acres of grasslands and playa lakes and is managed for wildlife conservation and public recreation.
An April 2024 press release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said that the agency had finalized a Land Protection Plan to expand the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge by up to 700,000 acres. The plan called for purchasing land or conservation easements from willing sellers in Texas and New Mexico with an objective of increasing conservation in the area.
A Congressional Research Service report notes that federal land comprises about 28% of total land in the United States, with most located in western states such as Nevada, Alaska, and Utah. The report indicates that Texas has less than 2% federally owned land. Federal land management responsibilities are divided among several agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
According to his official biography, Arrington represents Texas’s 19th congressional district and is Chairman of the House Budget Committee. He has served in roles within higher education and government with experience in public policy. His office highlights priorities including agriculture, federal land management, and rural economic development.
