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The Western Values Project is angry that the latest spending proposal in Congress not only doesn't provide money to protect the Western Sage Grouse, it prevents it. Their statement...

Congressional leaders' agreement in the "cr-omnibus" dealing with sage-grouse and the Fish and Wildlife Service disregarded the Department of Interior's guidance and the will of western voters. Western voters and stakeholders have made it clear that they demand immediate action on the Greater sage-grouse of their leaders.

However, because westerners expect immediate action on sage-grouse, congressional leaders' agreement changes nothing about the necessary timeline for action on the Greater sage-grouse.

“There is no doubt that congressional leaders’ agreement on sage-grouse and the Fish and Wildlife Service is profoundly misguided and ignores the wishes of Department of Interior and the American West,” said WVP Director Chris Saeger. “But the Bureau of Land Management and governors of states in the American West must keep moving forward toward implementing plans for Greater sage-grouse on the same timeline they’ve been working with in order to protect our wildlife and our western way of life. Leaders from the sportsmen, cattle ranching, outdoor recreation, energy development, government and business communities have all repeatedly called for fast action on the sage-grouse. And Westerners have made it clear time and time again that they expect their leaders to act now. The actions of a dysfunctional Congress don’t change the need for immediate action on sage-grouse.”

The sportsmen, ranchers, businesses and outdoor recreation economies of the Western United States are counting on state and federal leaders to balance conservation with other uses in the sagebrush ecosystems they depend on, and offer them the certainty they need. Polling has repeatedly shown that a solid majority in the American West supports strong plans for Greater sage-grouse conservation.

Stakeholders are engaged in the planning process, and officials from every side of the issue have repeatedly pointed to the unprecedented spirit of cooperation and level of momentum in the planning process. It is all the more important now that BLM and state leaders continue to work with westerners to put out strong plans for Greater sage-grouse conservation in the immediate future.

 

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