May 2010
UPDATE: USFWS Sage Grouse Decision
On March 5th the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced its decision to list the sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) as a candidate species for future eligibility under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The USFWS stated that the sage grouse does warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act but that listing the species as endangered or threatened is precluded by the need to address higher priority species. As a candidate species the sage grouse will not receive statutory protection under the ESA although individual states will continue to manage the bird and its habitat. The sage grouse will continue to be managed by the United States Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service under existing resource management plans on federal land. Management of the sage grouse as a candidate species will remain consistent with on-going federal guidance and local, state, and private lands initiatives.
