Sage grouse not being added to endangered list

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced following a comprehensive review: It will not be adding the Gunnison sage grouse to the federal list of threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, and it will also remove the species from the candidate list.

The Gunnison sage grouse currently exists in seven populations, six in Colorado and one in both Colorado and Utah.

Based on information on the lack of population declines, the wildlife service has determined that threats to the Gunnison sage grouse are neither imminent nor of such magnitude that they threaten or endanger the existence of the species.

Although various factors are believed to, or could potentially, be impacting the populations, these factors have not caused significant declines in the species throughout its range.

"Based on the best available scientific and commercial information, including a recent population-trend study and finding no evidence of substantial threats, the (wildlife service) has determined the Gunnison sage grouse does not need the protection of the ESA," said Mitch King, director of the Mountain-Prairie Region.

The Gunnison sage grouse was added to the candidate list in 2000. Candidate species are plants or animals the wildlife service has determined need to be listed as threatened or endangered, but the action is precluded by higher listing priorities for other species.

In November 2005, a trend analysis funded by the service found populations of Gunnison sage grouse have been stable for the last 10 years. Based on peer-reviewed analysis, they concluded impacts to the grouse and its habitat are not at the level of threat originally believed.

However, the USFWS and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, in cooperation with local landowners, will continue to informally monitor the status of populations.

The USFWS and the CDW will also continue to work cooperatively to further the conservation interests of the sage grouse.

Seventy-two landowners who own 102,000 acres of land where the Gunnison sage grouse live, in Utah and Colorado, have expressed interest in voluntary conservation efforts, such as candidate conservation agreements with assurances. These are voluntary arrangements under the Endangered Species Act designed to prevent the need for listing through preventive conservation efforts.

Agreements would outline conservation measures to benefit the grouse while still allowing the landowners to use their lands.