Bill would delay grouse protection

With six months until an administrative rule on whether the Gunnison sage-grouse will be protected under the Endangered Species Act, a new piece of legislation is ramping up efforts to delay a listing for 10 years. Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, introduced the Sage Grouse Protection and Conservation Act on May 22. The measure would keep both the Gunnison and greater sage-grouse from becoming listed as an endangered species for 10 years, while states implement state-based conservation plans. The move comes after almost a decade of debate about whether the grouse should be listed, amid concerns from private landowners, ranchers and the energy sector. The Gunnison sage-grouse is found only in Colorado and Utah, and an estimated 4,600 birds are left; the greater sage-grouse may have close to half a million scattered through 11 states...more