Wyoming congressional delegation co-sponsors bills to block protections for sage grouse

Wyoming’s congressional delegation is supporting a legislative effort to block federal protection of the greater sage grouse. U.S. Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso are co-sponsoring a bill by Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado that would retain state oversight of the species for six years — regardless of an upcoming decision on whether the birds warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. “The last thing states need are more one-size-fits-all regulations from Washington that won’t help species and will devastate local economies,” Barrasso said. Wyoming Rep. Cynthia Lummis is co-sponsoring a similar bill in the House by another Republican, Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah. Another recent move by Congress accomplishes nearly the same thing though for less time. The Senate late last year passed a budget rider that will keep the greater sage grouse under state oversight by withholding funding from Fish and Wildlife to implement a threatened or endangered listing for the birds...more