Agency, states should not put politics over science on sage-grouse
Statement of Eric Holst, Associate Vice President of Working Lands, Environmental Defense Fund
(Washington, DC – August 7, 2017) The Department of the Interior today released the results of a 60-day departmental review of the federal plans for greater sage-grouse – a review initiated by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s secretarial order on June 7, 2017.
“Two years ago, Republican and Democratic governors, ranchers and conservationists, industry groups and state wildlife agencies all came together outside Denver to celebrate a truly bipartisan, collaborative conservation effort for the greater sage-grouse. The decision not to list the bird under the Endangered Species Act was based on a plan that incorporated strong science on the species and its habitat requirements.
“Today, the administration’s review opens the door to significant changes to the sage-grouse plans, which could undercut the sound science used to develop those plans and jeopardize what we know the bird needs to live and thrive. Putting politics over science would only increase the likelihood of a listing in the future.
“By reopening the federal plans, we risk undermining and undoing one of the greatest collaborative conservation efforts in our nation’s history.”
- Eric Holst, Associate Vice President of Working Lands, Environmental Defense Fund.
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund
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