Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement, today, in response to the decision by the U.S. Department of Interior on the Greater Sage Grouse:
"Colorado has been at the forefront of implementing locally-tailored sage grouse preservation efforts, and a federal ESA listing would have jeopardized those efforts. The work being done at the state, local and federal level, which includes voluntary conservation and species protection on the part of landowners and government, is having a positive impact. We have heard abundant testimony from scientific and conservation experts that these locally-tailored plans are far more effective for species preservation than a one-size-fits-all federal approach. Unfortunately, the "not warranted' decision is expected to be accompanied by the signing of the final federal land use plan amendments, which will still jeopardize this local preservation approach. These amendments will severely restrict ranching, recreation and energy and minerals development, including a likely mineral withdrawal of between 9-10 million acres, all of which will be devastating to local economies. While the "not warranted' decision is welcome, the implementation of equally oppressive land use plans, which do nothing to improve on the work already being done locally to preserve the grouse, still leaves Colorado and other Western communities in a worrisome situation."