House Republicans passed a measure Thursday that would repeal the government’s decision to place California’s longfin smelt, a finger-sized fish, on the endangered species list. House members passed the resolution, introduced by California Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), in a 216-195 vote that followed party lines. The resolution now goes to the Republican-controlled Senate. “We want to block the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s misguided decision to list the San Francisco Bay Delta population of the longfin smelt as being endangered,” LaMalfa, who represents a rice-growing region in Northern California, said before the vote. He said the agency’s decision last year to declare the fish species endangered was “unscientific” and said it’s making it harder to deliver water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to farmers.

Other ESA news:

• The San Joaquin Valley Sun: House OKs repealing endangered listing for longfin Delta smelt
• Congressman David Valadao: News release: Congressman Valadao applauds passage of resolution to repeal longfin smelt ESA listing
• Best Best & Krieger: Blog: Federal wildlife agencies propose rescinding definition of “harm” under Endangered Species Act