|
|
Hope for Sage Grouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2014
Members of the House, Senate Introduce Legislation to Protect Sage Grouse
WASHINGTON– Today, Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Congressman Cory Gardner (R-CO), Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Congressman Steve Daines (R-MT) and Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) introduced the Sage Grouse Protection and Conservation Act.
This legislation would prevent the Sage grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act for 10 years, and instead requires states to develop conservation management plans to meet the unique needs of the Sage grouse in each state. The Sage Grouse Protection and Conservation Act encourages states to work with the Departments of Interior and Agriculture throughout the species management process to ensure that all concerns about the recovery of the Sage grouse are met.
“Biologists and other experts have stated time and again that the most effective species preservation efforts are locally-tailored and take into consideration the unique ecology and topography of the region in which the habitat occurs. If the goal is truly to protect the sage grouse, a one-size-fits all listing out of Washington is not only less effective than locally-tailored plans, but jeopardizes the ongoing work being done in states to preserve and recover the species,” said Congressman Tipton. “State and local species preservation efforts already underway should be given the chance to continue to work to increase the grouse population without interference from Washington.”
“A one-size-fits-all approach is not the way to best protect the Sage grouse,” said Congressman Gardner. “States have proven that they are more than capable of working in tandem with the federal government to preserve wildlife. By encouraging conservation plans at the state level, those most familiar with the local habitats and economies will be directly involved throughout the species management process. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to ensure that this legislation is signed into law, so that our states can continue their hard work protecting the Sage grouse.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|