Defense bill would allow states to nullify federal sage grouse plans

Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, is celebrating the House Armed Services Committee's early Thursday passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, legislation that could block implementation of federal sage grouse management plans in Utah and other Western states. The massive bill also prevents any change in the bird's conservation status for 10 years. Conservation groups and wildlife organizations said the sage grouse provision in the bill threatens protections for the bird. But Bishop has argued that the nearly 100 land-use management plans adopted by the BLM and U.S. Forest Service to address threats to the imperiled bird jeopardize the nation's military readiness and in particular operations at the Utah Test and Training Range. HR4909 passed the committee at 2:30 a.m. Thursday after more than 16 hours of deliberation and despite efforts by key House Democrats who argued the bird poses no significant threat to the nation's military. Bishop, however, was able to get the rider in the bill that allows states with sage grouse populations to nullify the federal sage grouse management plans, which have been controversial in many states throughout the West...more

Is Thomas Jefferson alive and well in Utah?

Can't wait to see that nullification language.

My imagination is running wild.