Congressional Spending Bill Prohibits Endangered Species Act Designation for Greater Sage-Grouse
Congress released its $1.01 trillion spending bill to keep the US government open through September 2015. Among its environmental riders is language restricting the US Fish & Wildlife Service from determining whether the Greater Sage-Grouse is eligible for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The APP has released the following statement:
“The priority right now is to get science-based, state-level conservation plans in place that are effective enough to avoid a federal listing for the Greater Sage-Grouse in the first place,” said Brian Rutledge, VP and Policy Director for the APP. “This rider will only complicate coordination between the BLM and statehouses and stems entirely from political considerations, ignoring scientific input and voices across the Mountain West that want strong plans in place.”
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