The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced its long anticipated decision on the greater sage-grouse Friday, naming it a “candidate species” under the Endangered Species Act, which precludes it from being listed as “endangered” due to other species requiring greater attention.

At a press conference in Washington, D.C., Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the bird’s population has declined 90 percent from a century ago due to a 50-percent habitat loss.

“Projections suggest the sage-grouse will continue to decline in coming years,” he added.

Salazar explained FWS, state and local governments should work together in the effort, saying conservation efforts to protect the bird wouldn’t mean federal lands are closed to energy production, recreation or grazing.

Wyoming officials feared an endangered listing would hobble local economies with stringent public-land use regulations.

Sublette County Commissioner Joel Bousman said he doesn’t believe the FWS decision will impact the local economy because the county and the state have implemented sage-grouse environmental programs.

However, he said if FWS had listed the bird as an endangered species Friday, it would have damaged the state and local economies.

Bousman said he was pleased with Salazar’s decision because it allows the state and counties more time to continue working on sage-grouse conservation.

In a press statement, Wyoming Game and Fish (G&F) Deputy Director John Emmerich said his department would have preferred a “not warranted” decision, saying, “Sage grouse are still abundant and well distributed in Wyoming.”

However, he explained, this decision gives the state time to “demonstrate its sage grouse conservation policies.”

Eric Keszler with the G&F said it’s too early to determine if the FWS decision would impact sage-grouse hunting.

He said any adjustments would be made during the G&F’s fall hunting season meeting in April.

Gov. Dave Freudenthal said in a release that he also would have preferred a not-warranted listing but is encouraged Salazar and FWS are willing to work with the state, saying he believes Wyoming sage-grouse populations are stable.

In a joint press release, Wyoming’s U.S. Sens. Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and Rep. Cynthia Lummis expressed concerns for the state’s economy.

“Wyoming companies need certainty to make investments that will create thousands of jobs,” Barrasso said. “The FWS determination creates more questions than it answers.”

FWS will review the status of the greater sage-grouse yearly. The state plans to continue its sage-grouse conservation programs.



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