Sage grouse non-listing prompts strong reaction

Now that it won’t be on the endangered species list, it appears the multi-million-dollar fight over the sage grouse is over. But some on the High Desert say it’s the next steps that are now the most critical.

“They are new limits on new development in sage grouse habitat in both BLM’s plan and the state of Oregon’s plan,” said Dan Morse, conservation director for Bend-based Oregon Natural Desert Association.

The U.S. Department of Interior announced Tuesday the Endangered Species Act designation is not necessary because current conservation efforts and partnerships are working.

“They’ve been embraced by the ranching community to protect sage grouse habitat — also with things like juniper removal,” said Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Jerome Rosa.

The chicken-like bird makes its home in scrubby brush in 11 Western states. It’s estimated there are 200,000 birds remaining, including 40,000 living in Oregon.

“The birds have been on a steep decline for many, many years,” Morse said.

Morse said now’s the time to hold the federal government to its word.

“It’s on all of the stakeholders to commit to that effort — to find the funding, put the actions on the ground, so that it has true meaning for sage grouse,” Morse said.

On the other side of the debate, local ranchers are overjoyed.

In Paulina, sage grouse roam over the ranch of Oregon Cattlemen’s Association President Ray Sessler. Sessler’s wife told NewsChannel 21 they are “delighted” by the news.

Stakeholders like the Sesslers claim $5.6 billion hung in the balance of the decision — money lost in the economy if drilling, mining and agricultural operations were shut down to protect the bird’s habitat.

“It would have eliminated a lot of the area that now can be grazed for livestock production,” Rosa aid.

Rosa noted that cattle are Oregon’s No. 1 agricultural product — a $922 million industry.

“This (listing) would be a really big economic impact to Eastern and Central Oregon,” Rosa said.

Conservationists said there is one troubling part of the plan that they’ll watch closely.

“Particularly in Oregon, wind solar and power lines could be developed in sage grouse habitat and start to fragment that habitat in ways that could be detrimental to the bird,” Morse said.

The federal government plans to continue tracking populations for five years, and then it will reassess the bird’s needs.