Gov. Matt Mead wants easements to protect sage grouse

Gov. Matt Mead wants state lawmakers to put up $10 million for sage grouse conservation. Mead's office says the state expenditure would trigger the release of $30 million of matching funds from federal and private sources to purchase and retire development rights on private ranches. Wyoming is anxious to avoid the possible federal listing of the sage grouse as an endangered species. Such a designation would hamper energy development that provides most state revenues. Bob Budd, executive director of the state's Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust, urged state lawmakers on Wednesday to support the governor's funding request. Budd says the trust would use the $40 million to pay for conservation easements on private ranches to prevent commercial and residential development in critical sage grouse areas. link