By Kathy Love March 1 at 7:04 PM Leasing rights on western lands with some of the world’s highest densities of sage grouse were sold this week to energy developers for as little as $2 an acre — the result of a recent Trump administration directive to roll back Obama-era protections for the iconic bird.
But conservationists sharply disagree. Brian Rutledge, vice president of the National Audubon Society, contends the birds are at “tremendous risk” because of the leases. “I can tell you with certainty that the Wyoming parcels auctioned this week were the most important habitat of all,” he said. Rutledge and Dan Heilig of the Wyoming Outdoor Council had appealed to Gov. Mark Gordon to halt the sale. The 31 parcels “represent a tiny fraction of the total numbers being offered . . . yet contain the most important sage grouse habitat in the state,” they wrote in a letter last week.
Western Energy Alliance, the industry association for energy exploration and extraction, did not respond to a request for comment. Rutledge, who also serves as director of Audubon’s Sagebrush Ecosystem Initiative, became involved in conservation plans to safeguard the birds’ habitat 14 years ago, when it was clear their populations were plummeting. The work was done in conjunction with state conservation agencies, the BLM — which controls a majority of that habitat — and a consortium of ranchers and other private landowners across nearly a dozen states.
“A single well is not a huge impact on a lek if it is sufficient distance away,” Christiansen said. “But several wells may be allowed because the restrictions call for an average over a large area.”
How can they do this?
Not good
And the man said, 'look at the grouse. Look at the grouse.' But there be no nyuk nyuk in Trumptown. Not for man nor birdbeast...
How many habitats do you urbanites think get ruined every time they build you a new Starbucks? 😂😂 outoftouch
You never know in a day what is gonna be the straw. Today this was the straw for me. This makes me weep. They are selling this country for parts and profit. I hate DT. Hate him. ImpeachTheMF
Trump makes me sick.
😡This is Trumps and his buddy's. Next time he's bragging about all the regulations he's gotten rid of remember this 😡😡😡
Will no one save these fanciful birds?
It’s so wrong!
BLM Butchers of Land mis-Management
I think audubonsociety's Brian Rutledge makes a sensible objection. If you will, a sage grouse.
new Q
Trump doesn't care...profits come before all else.
😡
Mmm.. sage grouse! Go’s great with spotted owl hot wings!
New mission for the sage grouse - find trumps plant leg and all run up inside all at once
Because nothing says I have raisins for balls like shooting a fn bird for laughs!
nothing like a government made from corporate personhood
🤬