NV/CA Sage Grouse Headed For Endangered Species Protection
Monday, October 28, 2013
RENO, Nev. - The Greater Sage Grouse inhabiting areas of Nevada and California is close to being listed as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act. Rob Mrowka, a Nevada-based ecologist with the Center for Biological Diversity, said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is taking the action as part of a legal settlement with his organization over protecting the bird.
The bi-state population of Greater Sage Grouse has dropped to a level nearing extinction, Mrowka said.
"Over the six identified population management units within the 1.8 million acres of habitat, only between 1,800 and 7,400 Greater Sage Grouse are estimated to be remaining," Mroka explained.
These sage grouse face threats from livestock grazing, invasive noxious weeds and the loss of habitat due to urban spread and energy development.
Mrowka said this particular bird population does not mix with other sage grouse, which means it will only mate and restore numbers on its existing habitat, which is threatened.
"These birds need to be able to move between population centers to exchange genetic materials or genes," he explained. "That ability is being hindered by the loss of habitat and by the fragmentation of that habitat, which put them into this threatened status."
Mrowka predicted the endangered species listing will likely add protections to about 1.8 million acres of critical habitat in Nevada and California. He said the protection basically means the Greater Sage Grouse and its habitat must be left alone. The listing procedure includes a public comment period and takes about a year to complete, he said.
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