Feds seek threatened status in Nevada and California for some sage grouse

Federal wildlife officials on Friday proposed to list as threatened populations of greater sage grouse in Nevada and California in an effort to save the struggling species, a decision that promises to have wide-ranging effects on mineral and energy development in the West. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that invasive species and energy development in the desert have had a devastating effect on the large, ground-dwelling bird’s populations,” said Ted Koch, Nevada state supervisor for the service. The service found multiple threats facing this specific sub-population of the sage grouse, a chicken-size bird whose males have a large white tuft around their necks. The service estimates there are only about 5,000 of the birds left. Non-native pinyon and juniper trees introduced to the habitat coupled with the power lines that crisscross through the area have given low-to-the-ground perches for raptors, which eat the grouse, Koch said. The service also found that an invasive grass that burns easily has helped decimate sagebrush, which is key to the grouse’s survival. The cheat grass rebounds after wildfires much quicker than sagebrush. The final decision on the service’s proposal will occur next year, and the public will have 60 days to comment on the decision. Ranchers, miners and energy developers who use the mostly public lands that serve as the sage grouse’s habitat have opposed the listing, saying it would have a deep economic impact in the rural West...more

Harry Reid represents Nevada and he's the powerful majority leader in the Senate, so let's see what he had to say:

Democratic U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada said the decision will have “major ramifications” on the way of life in parts of Nevada and California. “This listing is further proof that we need to work together to protect sensitive species before they get to such a dismal point and negatively affect our rural economies,” Reid said in a statement.

It has "major ramifications" for his constituents but all old Harry can say is we need to "work together" to protect, what? His constituents?  Nope, the birds.  How about we make some reasonable amendments to the ESA Harry.  As long as the west keeps electing knuckle heads like this we'll keep having laws and policy that "negatively affect our rural economies".