Bill to protect San Juan County from sage grouse listing advances

Gunnison Sage Grouse (Photo credit: shell game)

Good news from the Utah battle front!

A resolution urging the U.S. Interior secretary to exempt San Juan County populations of Gunnison sage grouse from any possible listing under the Endangered Species Act was unanimously endorsed Tuesday by a legislative committee.

Rep. Mike Noel’s HCR07 has already passed in the Utah House of Representatives on a 64-3 vote and will now be considered by the full Senate.

Noel’s measure comes after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced earlier this year that the species was being considered for protections afforded via the Endangered Species Act.

Although the small, chicken-sized bird exists primarily in Colorado, some small populations live in San Juan County, where local officials and state biologists have been working to set aside land and put other conservation measures in place.

Read the Deseret News article HERE