The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is preparing to make a decision, due September 30, 2015, as to whether the greater sage-grouse should be protected under the Endangered Species Act ("ESA").
Last week, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, announced the determination that the Bi-State population of greater sage-grouse in Nevada and California does not require ESA protection. However, greater-sage grouse habitat also includes areas in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah and other Rocky Mountain states.
The upcoming deadline for the status review for greater-sage grouse protection follows the 2010 determination that the species warranted protection under the ESA, but that action was precluded by higher-priority species efforts at the time. Since the species was identified for potential ESA protection, broad conservation efforts have been put in place to address threats facing the greater-sage grouse. In states like Wyoming, these conservation efforts have been successfully balanced with continued oil and gas development efforts.
Wyoming previously identified 'core areas' – the most important habitat for greater sage-grouse. Wyoming officials are reportedly redrawing the boundaries of 31 core areas for the first time since they were established 5 years ago. The recommendations will be sent next month to Wyoming Governor, Matt Mead, who ultimately will have the final say over any potential changes to the core areas.
A Wyoming Game and Fish proposal reportedly seeks to add roughly 20,000 acres to the Rawlins Core Area. As existing oil and gas leases will potentially be affected by this proposal, the issue will again become how to balance the existing rights of oil and gas companies with the continued efforts to protect the species. Compromise between the birds and business will continue to be the goal.
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