By Chris Mero |December 6, 2015
The decision this fall by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that greater sage grouse are “not warranted” for listing under the Endangered Species Act is a win for the bird and for Nevadans, including sportsmen, recreationists, ranchers, other private landowners and industry interests.
Our challenge now is to build upon conservation and restoration efforts underway — and set a course for continued responsible management of these valuable landscapes. The implications of a sage grouse Endangered Species Act listing would have been far more significant than any accommodations made thus far to keep it off the list. As it stands now, sage grouse management stays in the hands of the Nevada Division of Wildlife, much preferable to federal management and with the fringe benefit of continued sage grouse hunting seasons.