NATIONAL 

USCA commends DOI decision on bi-state greater sage grouse in California and Nevada. United States Cattlemen’s Association, Press Release. The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) applauds last week’s announcement by the Department of Interior on the decision to not list the Bi-State Greater Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in California and Nevada. USCA Public Lands Committee Chair Bert Paris commented on the announcement, “USCA applauds Secretary Jewell’s decision regarding the bi-state grouse. USCA is pleased that the work done by ranchers, land managers, wildlife and state officials has been recognized by the DOI.”

The Northern Long-Eared Bat: What A Threatened Listing Means For Wind Energy Projects. North American Wind Power. Despite the lack of evidence that wind farms present a big risk to the northern long-eared bat (NLEB), this listing has some potentially significant impacts for wind developers. One is that the interim 4(d) rule does not include development or operation of wind farms within the WNS buffer area as an exempted activity. What that means is that unless a wind project is clearly outside of the range of the NLEB and/or outside the WNS buffer area, developers will need to consider the NLEB during siting, development and operation of wind projects.

A record number of West Coast whales were entangled in crab fishing gear. LA Times. An unusually large number of whales dining in areas off the West Coast also prized by the fishing industry is contributing to an alarming surge in the number of cetaceans entangled in crabbing gear. Environmental groups are urging state fisheries managers to implement immediate reforms to protect whales from injury and death. Crabbers welcome collaborative efforts to reduce entanglements, but some suggest environmentalists are using the problem as leverage to stop the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from removing humpback whales from the endangered species list. NOTE: E&E News (sub req’d) also reports.

CALIFORNIA

Industry fighting $5.8 million fine for damaging San Gabriel River. San Gabriel Valley Tribune. Workers with a company controlled by the City of Industry’s former mayor caused extensive environmental damage performing unauthorized work at Follows Camp on the San Gabriel River. The apparent violations of the federal Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act resulted in a fine of $5.8 million against the city. Attorneys from Industry are negotiating a settlement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, city officials said Thursday.

KANSAS

Too much overreach by ESA. Garden City Telegram, Op-Ed. Farmers and ranchers believe reforms are needed in the Endangered Species Act to balance needs of species with economic impacts on agriculture. They believe endangered and threatened species protection can be more effectively achieved by providing incentives to private landowners and public-land users rather than by imposing land-use restrictions and penalties.

NEVADA

Let states continue to protect sage grouse without listing. Elko Daily Free Press, Op-Ed. Perhaps there is still hope that aggressive conservation and mitigation efforts by Nevada and the 10 other states where greater sage grouse range can stave off a listing of the ground-dwelling birds under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a decision that would have an economic impact on mining, agriculture, logging, oil and gas exploration, rights of way, electricity transmission lines and recreation. The latest ray of hope comes from a decision by the Interior and Agriculture departments this past week to withdraw a proposal to list the bi-state sage grouse under ESA.

UTAH

Stewart, Bishop launch group to take land from feds. Deseret News. Frustrated at federal land management policies over endangered species, forest health and a host of other issues, a pair of Utah congressmen are launching a working group aimed at finding ways to transfer federal land to local control. The Federal Land Action Group, organized by Reps. Chris Stewart and Rob Bishop, R-Utah, is designed to find a “legislative framework” for such a land transfer and will host a series of forums with public land experts to craft a bill.

WISCONSIN

Let’s not trust Wisconsin’s wolves to Walker administration. Gazette Extra, LTE. Within the Wisconsin DNR and University of Wisconsin, scientists are debating whether the wolf is recovered enough for delisting after Judge Beryl Howell’s decision to return them to the Endangered Species List. For now, doesn’t it just make sense to keep management of wolves within the Endangered Species Act? Walker’s administration has spoken and is not equipped to handle any environmental scientific data at all.

WYOMING

Wyoming delegation backs bills against grouse protections. Associated Press. 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.