Posted: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 12:00 am
Star-Tribune Editorial Board
Gov. Dave Freudenthal has given Wyoming its best chance yet to keep the greater sage grouse off the endangered species list.
Last week, the governor issued an executive order outlining the state's plan to protect the game bird, whose once-teeming population in the West in the 1960s has been reduced by up to two-thirds. Meanwhile, the species has lost more than half of its habitat across 11 states, including Wyoming.
Wyoming's plan legally only applies to state agencies, but Freudenthal noted it at least puts all state agencies on the same page as conservation efforts for sage grouse and its habitat move forward. And while the state executive order doesn't have authority over federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, federal officials have said they will cooperatively work with the state's plan.
That's important, because if sage grouse obtain protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, it would potentially shut down energy activity in much of Wyoming. Restrictions would also hurt ranching operations in the state, but energy development remains the biggest threat to the bird's survival.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to decide whether to list the species by the end of the year. If it proves effective, the state's plan could go a long way toward helping the agency decide that federal protection is not warranted in Wyoming.
The state's plan - developed by the governor's task force - creates "core" population areas throughout Wyoming where 12 separate guidelines could be implemented. While new oil and gas development will not be prohibited in the core areas, these stipulations may be used to demonstrate that drilling activity will result in no loss of sage grouse or its habitat.
The order also states that funding, assurances, habitat enhancement, reclamation efforts, mapping and other proactive efforts to ensure the viability of greater sage grouse in Wyoming should be "focused and prioritized" to take place in the core population areas.
Industry is not overlooked in the state plan, which will establish incentives to enable development of all types outside core areas. These incentives include stipulation waivers, enhanced permitting processes, and density bonuses.
Freudenthal has long supported the coal-bed methane industry, particularly in the Powder River Basin. But he also recognizes there are places in Wyoming where wildlife and environmental concerns outweigh the need to drill for oil and gas. It's commendable that the governor made sure all stakeholders in the sage grouse debate had a seat at the table as the state's plan was developed.
Wyoming's sage grouse plan was enhanced by bringing all stakeholers to the table.
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