3-26 IAN Simpson Sage Grouse

 Chairman Simpson recently expressed his concern about the possibility of sage grouse being listed as an endangered species. He pressed BLM Director Abbey about the  agency’s sage grouse conservation strategy and whether it will be effective in preventing a listing. Simpson commended BLM for taking  a proactive approach on the conservation of the sage grouse and reflecting this priority in the proposed budget. Here is the congressman’s spokesperson, Nikki Watts " The congressman wants to make sure this investment will actually improve sage grouse habitat and prevent the species from being listed in 2015, which would be devastating across the West.”  Director Abbey committed to doing everything possible to prevent a sage grouse listing, pointing to work already being done with states and stakeholders to identify and implement best management practices.