Access to federal sage-grouse workshop criticized

The ASSOCIATED PRESS

10 years ago

This April 2007 file photo provided by the Nevada Department of Wildlife shows a male and female sage grouse in the mountains near Reno Nev. Conservationists say federal rules that allow livestock grazing and oil and gas development across 25 million acres of public land in the West are illegal because they fail to acknowledge the harmful affects on sage grouse. (AP Photo/Nevada Department of Wildlife, Kim Toulouse, File)

In this file photo taken, April 15, 2008, near Rawlins, Wyo., a male sage grouse performs his strut during which he rapidly inflates and deflates air sacs in his neck, paces in a circle and makes special noises all designed to get the attention of potential mates. The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to allocate up to $16 million through two programs to encourage farmers and ranchers to protect sage grouse and their habitat. (AP Photo/The Rawlins Daily Times, Jerret Raffety, File)

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A meeting this week in Fort Collins about the greater sage grouse has drawn fire from several Western representatives who want to know why public attendance is limited while regulators focus on possible land use issues.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey are conducting a workshop Wednesday and Thursday to discuss scientific questions about bird populations. Interior Department officials said the panel includes government agencies, tribes, industry and local conservation organizations.

The department said people who were invited to attend were drafted with help from wildlife agencies so they could focus on scientific issues.

According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, critics said scientists who favor federal limits are invited, while industries and other critics are being excluded.

Estimates on the number of sage grouse vary from 100,000 to 500,000, raising questions over the need for stricter limits on development.

Sage grouse are chicken-sized birds that live in sagebrush and grasslands. They are known for gathering in spring in breeding grounds called leks, where the males puff themselves out and dance for females searching for mates.

A listing would affect the way lands are managed in 11 states, including Nevada. In Colorado, state and local officials say it could hamstring the energy industry.