Cattlemen Support Science-Based Sage Grouse Decision

Washington, D.C. (December 3, 2004) – America’s ranching communities are supporting an announcement by officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that listing the greater sage grouse as an endangered species is “not warranted.”  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) say conservation efforts offer a more scientifically-viable means for species protection than federal listing.

“In recent years, the livestock ranching community has joined forces with wildlife officials at the federal, state and local levels to put in place conservation efforts to better protect the bird,” says Jeff Eisenberg, executive director of PLC and NCBA director of federal lands. “This decision by FWS biologists is a clear indication that these efforts are working.”

The decision to recommend the bird not be listed under the federal Endangered Species Act was announced today at the Western Governors’ Association meeting in San Diego.  Sage grouse habitat often exists on Western rangelands where ranchers graze livestock.  If the bird is listed, ranchers face increased costs, regulatory delays and land use restrictions that could seriously impact their operations.

Oregon cattleman John O’Keeffe says landowners and stakeholders can offer creative solutions to species protection, if given the chance.  PLC and NCBA member-producers, for example, have identified grazing practices that are compatible with sage grouse habitat, and are working to educate others on these findings. O’Keeffe serves as chair of NCBA’s Federal Lands Committee and chairs the PLC’s Sage Grouse Working Group. 

In addition to conservation efforts on the ground, the NCBA and PLC were successful in getting Congress to authorize $5 million in funding within the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) for conservation of sage grouse habitat. 

“Ranchers and farmers work on the land everyday and we have a stake in environmental and species protection,” says O’Keeffe.  “We are working in partnership with government and conservation groups to protect the sage grouse and we’ve proven there are viable alternatives to listing. This decision is a win for everyone who is part of the partnership.”

“As with all environmental decisions, we’re hopeful the government will move to a more scientific decision making process,” says Eisenberg. “This gives us a chance to show that conservation efforts are a more effective solution for conserving species.  Hopefully, these efforts will serve as a positive example in the area of species conservation, and could pave the way for future partnerships.”