Western governors file report on sage grouse conservation efforts

Agri-Pulse Communications ^ | April 2, 2015 | Sarah Gonzalez

[george76]

The Western Governors' Association released a report today highlighting the voluntary efforts in 11 states to conserve the habitat of sage-grouse as part of an effort to avoid a federal listing of the bird under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The association, which represents the governors of 19 Western states, said that “the breadth and depth of voluntary conservation efforts across the region, if allowed to run their course, will provide the bird with the necessary habitat to live and thrive.”

The greater sage grouse is found in 11 states and its habitat encompasses 186 million acres . The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Interior Department

...

If the FWS designates critical habitat for the greater sage grouse under the ESA, it would likely increase regulatory costs for farming and ranching practices in several states, as well as mining and oil and gas development.

In February, Colorado's Democrat Gov. John Hickenlooper filed a lawsuit against the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) over the agency's decision in November 2014 to list the Gunnison sage grouse as a “threatened” species and designate more than 1.4 million acres as critical habitat in Utah and Colorado. The Gunnison sage grouse is one species of the ground-dwelling game bird, found mainly in southwestern Colorado with some populations in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

[spokeshave]

Western governors file report on sage grouse conservation efforts....tastes like Spotted Owl....but less “gamey”

[Colorado Doug]

Agreed.
I think the Governors should sponsor a cook-off instead. I know there's some great recipes out there!

[george76]

Wyoming proposes 2015 sage grouse hunting season... Wyoming and the seven other states with sage grouse hunting to allow hunting to continue

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/466373f89368462eacc4a55655e392a8/WY—Sage-Grouse-Hunting