The federal government could announce whether the greater sage grouse will be added to the endangered species list as early as next week.
An endangered species listing could lead to unwanted consequences for the state’s farmers and ranchers, as well as the oil and gas industry, so Montana and other states are focusing on voluntary steps to protect the grouse and make a federal listing unnecessary.
Today Montana’s new Sage Grouse Advisory Team met for the first time, and chairman Tim Baker announced that U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell plans to make an “historic conservation announcement” in Colorado on Tuesday.
Baker is optimistic Jewell has chosen not to list the grouse as threatened or endangered.
Montana’s program is based largely on one being used in Wyoming. It would create zones six-tenths of a mile around certain sage grouse breeding grounds where roads could not be built and other activities, such as oil and gas exploration, would be limited. Existing farms, mines and wells would be exempt.
The state hopes to have its plan running by the new year.