Issues

IPAA Endorses Congressman Gardner Bill on Greater Sage Grouse. This week the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) wrote a letter to Representative Gardner that expresses the oil and natural gas industry’s support for HR 4716 – The Sage Grouse Protection and Conservation Act. The letter highlights that states are best suited to make habitat and species determinations, and maintain a balance of environmental stewardship and economic development. From the letter:

“IPAA supports increased flexibility and equipping states to tailor regulations to their own unique set of characteristics. With eleven Western States affected, each state is required to work cooperatively with the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture to develop and implement a plan that works for them. A one-size-fits-all approach does not allow for any case-by case fluctuation and IPAA believes that the states, in cooperation with federal agencies, are best suited to make individualized habitat decisions.”

Comment Period Extensions. On Monday May 19, 2014 IPAA filed three requests for comment period extensions. IPAA requested that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration extend the public comment period beyond July 11th to October 9, 2014 for the following rule proposals:

• Definition of Destruction or Adverse Modification of Critical Habitat: This regulation clarifies procedures for designating and revising critical habitat. The rule change is intended to add clarity for the public as well as clarify expectations for the designation process. Link

• Policy regarding implementation of Section 4 (b) 92) of the Endangered Species Act: This policy provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s position on how partnerships and conservation plans are permitted. Link

• Implementing Changes to the Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat: The proposed regulation seeks to clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Endangered Species Action concerning the procedures and criteria used for listing species and designating critical habitat. Link

The extension is necessary to ensure that the over 9000 independent oil and natural gas companies, as well as service companies, have adequate time to review the proposed regulation.

Ranchers Take Conservation Action for the Greater Sage Grouse. Ranchers in Eastern Oregon are working collaboratively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Harney Soil and Water Conservation District (HSWCD) to help conserve the Greater Sage Grouse. The USFWS and the HSWCD entered into a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) wherein landowners voluntarily agree to manage their lands to reduce threats to a given species in return for assurances against additional regulatory requirements. Stacy Davies, manager of Roaring Springs Ranch, discussed the effort in KTVZ:

“As a rancher, I am excited that the Harney Soil and Water Conservation District and leaders of Harney County worked with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to develop a tool that can help preserve the cultural and economic activities of our rural communities while meeting the habitat needs of sage-grouse. The CCAA gives landowners an opportunity to maintain grazing and other traditional agricultural uses on their land and protect those uses should an ESA listing occur.”

The USFWS’s Pacific Region Director also commended the joint efforts:

“Teaming with private landowners is an essential part of protecting this country’s unique species. This partnership is a prime example of how we can effectively work together to develop sufficient protections for the greater sage-grouse while at the same time protecting the future of an important economic driver in Oregon. This is a huge win-win for everybody involved.”

The Greater Sage Grouse was listed as a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2010. The service is expected to make a final determination in September 2015.

Utah Acts to Challenge Sage Grouse Listing. The Utah Legislature authorized a $2 million appropriation to delay the federal decision to list the Greater Sage Grouse. Elected officials said that if the grouse were listed under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) Utah’s key industries such as energy development, grazing and motorized recreation would be severely impacted.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Utah, along with several other western states, is working to keep Greater Sage Grouse management at the local level. Utah’s current conservation plan has been in effect for a year and officials say the species is already benefiting.

In the News

Congressional Delegation files bill to prevent listing of Sage Grouse under the ESA. County 10. Today, U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, John Barrasso and U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, all R-Wyo., joined Representative Cory Gardner, R-CO, in introducing the Sage Grouse Protection and Conservation Act, according to a news release issued by the Wyoming Congressional Delegation.

Feds reassure farmers over lesser prairie chicken. Associated Press. Federal authorities are reassuring Kansas farmers and other landowners that the listing of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species won’t affect their ability to enter or exit the Conservation Reserve Program.

Spending comes home to roost. Sauk Valley News. State aircraft are flying to Kansas and transporting prairie chickens back to the Land of Lincoln. And at a time state lawmakers are looking at raising the state income tax, Illinois state employees have been hiking across Kansas trapping these chickens.

Why ranchers are volunteering to help sage grouse. The Oregonian (Op-Ed). As the lead U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist charged with implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in Oregon, I was in Burns to meet with a group of eastern Oregonians to discuss how we could work together to conserve the greater sage grouse on private lands.

New Hydraulic Fracturing Project Proposed in Sage Grouse Country. Wyoming Public Media. A 5000-well oil and gas project proposed for the Powder River Basin is drawing sharp criticism from a wildlife advocacy group. Erik Molvar with WildEarth Guardians says the drilling would take place right in the middle of critical sage grouse habitat.

Endangered species listing for Sierra Nevada frogs sparks controversy. Tahoe Daily Tribune. The listing of three amphibians native to the Sierra Nevada has spurred a range of reactions, with wildlife advocates celebrating the decision and others expressing dismay.

Fed up with federal lands management. Hungry Horse News. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) and the Endangered Species Act (1973) both aim to protect wildlife. Unfortunately, of the 2,105 species listed under the Endangered Species Act, only 1.3 percent has been delisted, according to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

Seeking a responsible balance between the sage grouse and other interests. Washington Post, LTE. Efforts to protect the greater sage grouse do not have to pit environmentalists against ranchers, gold miners, energy producers and Western state governments. There is another way, one that involves all interests coming to the table to create balanced, proactive, science-based plans that conserve and manage our natural resources.