The greater sage-grouse isn\u2019t a species most people come to know as children when they visit the local zoo, but it\u2019s an icon of the American West, with its ancient mating ritual and spiky tail feathers that give it the look of a punk rock peacock. The bird is considered an indicator species because its success is a strong indicator of the health of the broader sagebrush ecosystem, which supports more than 350 other species, including game species like pronghorn and mule deer.<\/p>\n
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That\u2019s why so many people were concerned that the bird\u2019s population had fallen to historic lows, with a listing under the Endangered Species Act seemingly inevitable. That is, until state and federal representatives, ranchers, conservationists and industry stakeholders came together in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration to design federal sage-grouse protection plans. These plans were recognized as a key factor in the decision not to add the bird to the endangered species list in 2015 \u2013 a decision everyone hailed as \u201chistoric.\u201d<\/p>\n
In stark contrast to this celebration of a major wildlife win, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is now revisiting the existing sage-grouse plans. On December 27, he reversed key guidance<\/a> requiring BLM to prioritize leasing and development outside of greater sage-grouse habitat management areas before considering projects within the bird\u2019s habitat.<\/p>\n Since 2015, BLM had refused to offer many leases because of concerns for sage-grouse. However, in 2018, there has already been a significant increase<\/a> in oil and gas leases offered for sale.<\/p>\n [Tweet “If oil and gas development in greater sage-grouse habitat continues, it will be a different kind of horror show \u2013 one that will affect people and wildlife here at home.”]<\/p>\n If oil and gas development continues without respect for the conservation measures committed in the plans, the bird will likely lose its last remaining stronghold habitat on public lands. By ignoring the science, these actions are likely to cause sage-grouse populations to plummet, bringing the species closer to the brink of extinction.<\/p>\n If the bird is put on the endangered species list, we\u2019ll know why.<\/p>\n Conservation makes economic sense for sage-grouse, people and all wildlife<\/strong><\/p>\n As the president caters solely to the interests of the oil and gas industry, he is putting America\u2019s wildlife, landscapes and natural heritage at risk. It\u2019s no way to put America first. And it doesn\u2019t even make economic sense.<\/p>\n For starters, reversing the sage-grouse plans will hold up millions of dollars<\/a>\u00a0invested in sage-grouse conservation programs \u2013 dollars that would otherwise be flowing to western states for projects on the ground. It will also hurt the outdoor recreation and tourism industries, which benefit from roughly\u00a0$1 billion a year<\/a>\u00a0in economic output driven by sage-grouse. Ultimately, western jobs and livelihoods will suffer.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not just about the sage-grouse. Trump\u2019s broader strategy of selling off public lands, weakening environmental standards and increasing energy development is a losing strategy that puts short-term industry profits over the long-term viability of the western landscape and way of life.<\/p>\n It will have broader consequences for the $25-billion restoration and $887-billion recreation economies, which directly support nearly 8 million American jobs. It will be a different kind of horror show \u2013 one that will affect people and wildlife here at home.<\/p>\n I would like to see president Trump as outraged by these threats to America\u2019s wildlife and economy, and come down on the side of protecting the greater sage-grouse and keeping the existing plans in place.<\/p>\n Related:<\/em><\/p>\n Zinke\u2019s sage-grouse review signals shifting influences in Washington<\/a><\/p>\n These quiet policy changes will pave way for massive development on public land<\/a><\/p>\n