U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Short Extension of Final Decision on Listing the Gunnison Sage-Grouse

For Immediate Release

May 6, 2014

DENVER, Colo. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the D.C. District  Court has granted  a six-month extension of the deadline to make the final decision on whether to list the Gunnison sage-grouse for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The extension, granted with the consent of the plaintiff in the relevant court case, will provide additional time for the Service to review information received during the public review process on whether final listing as a “threatened species” may be necessary.  The Service originally proposed an “endangered species” listing.  The Service will propose a 4(d) special rule to tailor the take prohibitions of the ESA to those necessary and advisable for conservation of the species. This time extension will allow for public engagement and comment on that special rule before a final listing determination.

The Service is confident that an extension will not affect the status of the species because of the interim protections in place and the short duration of the extension.

Moreover, the BLM will be revising its interim land management direction and will begin planning efforts to ensure that relevant Resource Management Plans are updated to conserve important Gunnison sage-grouse habitat.

On January 11, 2013, the Service proposed to list the Gunnison sage-grouse as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.  The Service then held a 60-day public comment period and held a series of public meetings in Colorado and Utah.

As put in the place by a schedule established in 2011 and subsequent agreements with the plaintiff, the deadline for final listing determination for the Gunnison sage-grouse was May 12, 2014.  The schedule is part of an agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the agency’s most frequent plaintiffs that is enabling the agency to systematically, over a period of six years, review and address the needs of more than 250 species on the list of candidates for protection under the ESA.

More information on the Gunnison sage-grouse, which is not to be confused with the greater sage-grouse, is available here.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visitwww.fws.gov/mountain-prairie. Connect with our Facebook page, follow ourtweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.

Posted in

Join WLA to stay up to date on the most important news and policy for land stewards.

Become a member for free today and we will send you the news and policy developments critical to the economic and ecological health of working lands.

WLA works on behalf of landowners and practitioners throughout the West. We will never share your contact information with anyone.

©2023 Western Landowners Alliance • PO BOX 27798, Denver, CO 80227 • 505.466.1495 • Privacy Policy