National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NACD CONCERNED ABOUT IMPACT OF
SAGE GROUSE LISTING 

WASHINGTON, D.C.— March 5, 2010—Today the National Association of Conservation Districts expressed concern following Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s announcement on behalf of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that listing of the greater sage grouse is “warranted but precluded,” and that the bird has been deemed a candidate species for listing.

“NACD recognizes the importance of conserving wildlife habitat for all species, and our member conservation districts across the nation work with landowners every day to implement practices that improve wildlife habitat,” said NACD President Steve Robinson, a producer from Marysville, Ohio. “That said, the annual review process that is required for all candidate species leaves the status uncertain and subject to constant litigation.”

“Landowners and managers need regulatory certainty to conduct economically viable operations,” Robinson said. “Under these circumstances, it will be difficult for landowners to implement conservation knowing their actions could be invalidated at any time.”

According to the U.S. Department of Interior, the greater sage grouse warrants the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but listing the species at this time is precluded by the need to addresses higher priority species first. By placing the sage grouse on the candidate list, the species does not receive statutory protection under the ESA. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service will now review the status of the species annually to determine if additional protection is needed under the ESA.

“Today Secretary Salazar expressed the need for Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies to continue to work cooperatively with private landowners to conserve candidate species,” said Robinson. “Conservation districts are a critical part of efforts to conserve sage grouse habitat across the West, and look forward to collaborating with both the agencies and landowners to implement additional practices as needed.” 

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The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts and 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. NACD’s website is at www.nacdnet.org.