Sage grouse won’t be declared endangered

By Randy Wyrick

EAGLE COUNTY — Federal wildlife officials won’t list the greater sage grouse as endangered, an announcement applauded by local ranchers.Ben Wurtsmith, lifelong Eagle County rancher in McCoy, said he’s happy they’re not endangered, but he’d like to see the kinds of numbers he recalls from years ago.“Until a few years ago there were sage grouse all over,” Wurtsmith said. Announced in ColoradoThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the range-wide population of greater sage grouse does not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell announced the decision in Commerce City, near Denver.The agency’s decision affects …

Source:: Vail Daily Feed