The Lahontan Valley Environmental Alliance Sage Grouse Working Group, that has worked tirelessly in the development of a Churchill County Sage Grouse Conservation Plan to help prevent the listing of the greater sage grouse as endangered, was pleased to hear that it is unlikely the bird will be listed as an endangered species.

Based on an extensive review of scientific data and analysis, senior regional U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists have recommended that the Service not list the greater sage grouse as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act across its range, Service Director Steve Williams reported.

“Our Biologists have conducted a thorough review of the best available scientific information and in their view, recommend that the greater sage grouse does not warrant the special protections of the Act across its range,” Williams said.

Williams said the best solution for conserving the greater sage grouse is for federal agencies and western states to continue to support cooperative efforts to conserve and restore sage grouse habitat.

“Together we have worked effectively with local governments, tribes, local communities, conservation groups, private landowners and other partners to conserve and restore sagebrush habitat that is vital to sage grouse and many other species,” Williams said.  “We must continue, and wherever possible expand, these efforts to achieve measurable, on-the-ground habitat conservation and restoration.”

The Service received three petitions to list the greater sage grouse range-wide as endangered or threatened.  In April 2004, the Service announced that the petitions presented substantial information that listing may be warranted and began a full status review of the greater sage grouse.