U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is soliciting additional public comments on its proposed rule to list the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Greater Sage Grouse as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
This action follows a ruling overturning a 2015 USFWS and Department of Interior decision not to list the bird. As a result of this ruling, the agencies are required to re-analyze listing the Bi-State Sage Grouse.
The notice announcing the reopening of the public comment period requires submission of comments by June 11, 2019. Comments can be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov by searching under docket number FWS–R8–ES–2018–0106 (proposed listing determination) or FWS–R8–ES–2018–0107 (proposed critical habitat designation) and clicking on the “comment now” button. The Federal Register Notice also provides information on how to mail or email comments.
The USFWS has been engaged in a multi-partner conservation effort known as the Bi-State Action Working Group to conserve and monitor the DPS for more than 15 years. Friends of the Inyo and other NGOs are part of this group along with private landowners and federal, state, county and city agencies.
View the FWS news release here.
