10/30/08 More sage-grouse released in Lincoln county

Washington Ag Two dozen sage-grouse were recently released by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on shrub-steppe habitat on the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area and Bureau of Land Management property in Lincoln County south of Wilbur. This follows a similar release in that area this past spring, all part of a multi-year effort to establish a third population of the sage-grouse in the state. The bird is on Washington's threatened species list so if this program is successful and the grouse expands its territory are there implications for agriculture? Derek Stinson, Department of Fish and Wildlife endangered-species biologist, says that is doubtful. Stinson: "They are listed as a state threatened species but there are no regulations about habitat. Those regulations only cover direct take, or direct killing. There is a possibility in the future that they would be federally listed but the success of projects like this would decrease the likelihood of that." It is hoped the population in Lincoln County succeeds and connects with the states two other populations in Douglas and Grant and Yakima and Kittitas counties. Those total about 800 sage-grouse. I'm Bob Hoff.