Earlier this spring, I wrote a post entitled " Birds and Business" concerning balancing existing rights of oil and gas companies with continued efforts to protect the greater sage-grouse.
Listing the species as an endangered species would surely have an impact on energy development in Wyoming, a state with a large sage-grouse core area. 37% of the world's greater sage-grouse are reported to call Wyoming home. Indeed, "Governor Mead has worked hard to maintain a state-based solution for protecting sage-grouse habitat." The Sage-Grouse Core Area Protection Strategy is set forth in the Governor's Executive Order 2011-5. "Governor Mead has noted listing the sage-grouse would have very serious implications for Wyoming's economy."
It is all about to come to a head. We are now about one month away from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision as to whether the species should be protected under the Endangered Species Act ("ESA").
New research from the Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies reportedly suggests a rebound of the greater sage-grouse population. The report, prepared to provide scientific information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in advance of the upcoming ESA listing decision, reportedly shows the number of male birds documented this year has rebounded significantly from 2013.
But will the population increase be enough? We await the September ESA listing decision with baited breath, and we will keep you posted when the decision is released. Stay tuned!
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