Simpson on Sage Grouse

When it comes to sage grouse I never quite know how to interpret the debate. Is it an agricultural debate or a sportsman's debate? But the one thing I do know is that there is intense interest in sage grouse and their habitat since it is in the paper about two times a week. What I do know is a sportsman's topic is the fact that the sage grouse story is a story about conservation and habitat. That said, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson offered the following statement regarding the determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that the Greater Sage-Grouse does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act:

 

"For years, state and federal partners have worked toward the not warranted listing that was just issued, and, given the impact that a listing decision would have on Idaho and the West, I am pleased with the Fish and Wildlife Service's determination," said Simpson.  "That being said, I recognize that this decision does not come without a price.  There has been widespread concern about the impact of the federal land management plans, especially from the states, which felt their recommendations in this process were disregarded.  Whether the price we pay for a not-warranted decision will be too high remains to be seen.  In the meantime, I will continue working with both federal and state agencies to see that the real threats to sage-grouse habitat, including wildfire, can be addressed."