Senator Barrasso statement on sage-grouse decision
by U.S. Senator John Barrasso media release
September 22, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today (Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015), Senate Western Caucus Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY), released the following statement in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s announcement that the greater sage-grouse does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. The Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service also released their final land management plans today that restrict land use across the West.
"Today’s decision not to list the sage-grouse confirms that the hard work and tough decisions made by Wyoming and other states in the West worked. I’m pleased the Fish and Wildlife Service reached the conclusion that we reached a long time ago: state and local agencies are best-suited to manage lands and protect species," said Senate Western Caucus Chairman John Barrasso.
"While this decision may seem like a victory for the West, the administration’s land management plans are nothing more than a Washington land grab. The administration should focus on policies that address real threats to sage-grouse, such as catastrophic wildfires, predators and the unchecked spread of invasive species. These would help ensure that sage-grouse and other species continue to thrive across the West."
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