Chairman Calvert Presses FWS on Greater Sage-Grouse Listing
Washington,
Apr 3 -
Today, Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (CA-42) pressed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe about the possible inclusion of the greater sage-grouse on the Federal endangered species list. Director Ashe stated that no decision on listing the greater sage-grouse would occur prior to September, 2015.
“The listing of the sage-grouse on the endangered species list would have a devastating effect on Western states,” said Chairman Calvert. “My hope is that the Fish and Wildlife Service will consider conservation efforts taking place in Western states and the significant impact listing the sage-grouse would have on domestic energy production in making its determination. Recent environmental pre-emptive actions by this Administration have risen speculation about what is coming next. Thankfully, with sage-grouse, we have additional time to complete and start implementing conservation plans, and to weigh the economic implications of an ESA listing, before the Fish and Wildlife Service makes a decision.”
The greater sage-grouse is found in 11 western states—California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
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