The issue of grassland grouse was brought up again in Washington DC as Congressional Republicans hope to block federal protection of these birds. The argument is that this protection will hurt energy expansion.
Their plan is to prevent US Fish and Wildlife from listing several endangered species, such as Gunnison sage-grouse (3,000-4,000 in total population) and greater sage-grouse, under the Endangered Species Act for 10 years.
This plan serves no purpose in conservation what so ever. In 10 years, most of these birds would be either completely gone or would dwindle into a stage of no return.
If the recently-adopted lesser prairie-chicken conservation agreements and range-wide management plan had been implemented 10 years ago, we likely wouldn’t be in the situation we’re in today.
There’s no doubt that they desperately need our help and protection.