Representatives of Audubon California are disappointed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service decision to remove Endangered Species Act protections to the Bi-state Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Greater Sage-Grouse when the Service ruled on the petition on April 21.
Researchers report that the current range of the population is limited to six population management units (PMUs) along the California and Nevada border, which is less than 50 percent of its historical range. Scientists predict that four of the six PMUs could be lost in the foreseeable future, putting the species in grave peril of extinction.
"While I applaud the Department of the Interior for stepping up to help this bird by funding collaborative habitat projects, I am deeply disappointed in the Service’s decision today,” said Andrea Jones, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon California. “Partnerships are no substitute for ESA protections which are warranted.”
The Greater Sage-Grouse is one of North America’s most fascinating and threatened birds. With its spiked feathers and unusual mating rituals, the bird prefers desolate sagebrush habitat of the Western United States. While the bird is somewhat more plentiful in plains states, a small population along the eastern California/west central Nevada border (known as the Mono Basin area population) continues to struggle for survival. Listing would create the habitat protections and land management practices that this unique population of Sage Grouse needs to survive.
The listing would have extended Endangered Species Act protections to the species and designated 1.86 million acres of critical habitat, 86% of which occurs on federal land. The Mono Basin population spans eight counties in the northeastern Sierra in California and in western Nevada. Greater Sage-Grouse live in elevations ranging from 4,000 to 9,000 feet and exist only in sagebrush habitat.
In 2014, Audubon released its study of impacts of climate change on North American birds and concluded that the Greater Sage-Grouse is predicted it could lose 71% of its breeding range by 2080, intensifying the risk of extinction. Protecting and restoring designated habitat now will make the bird better able to resist the impacts of climate change in years to come.
About Audubon California
Audubon California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of the National Audubon Society.
More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.
