Nevada, Kinross Gold mark major milestone for sage-grouse

(Washington, D.C. – November 8, 2017) Tomorrow, Kinross Gold U.S.A., Inc., (Kinross) will complete the first purchase of habitat credits to offset impacts to greater sage-grouse through the Nevada Conservation Credit System (CCS). The transaction will take place at a signing ceremony in Carson City, Nevada. 

The Nevada CCS is a state-led mitigation program that ensures impacts to greater sage-grouse habitat are fully offset by long-term enhancement and protection of habitat that result in a net benefit for the species.

“The Nevada Conservation Credit System is one of the shining examples of innovation and collaboration to come out of the historic bipartisan effort that kept the greater sage-grouse off the Endangered Species List. When the bird was in trouble, Governor Sandoval and other state leaders stepped up, as did countless landowners, conservationists and industry groups who showed great responsibility, foresight and determination.

“Together, the state of Nevada and Kinross are demonstrating what it means to be a leader on sage-grouse while the federal government is doing the opposite, reopening the very plans that were put in place to keep the bird off the Endangered Species List.

“Despite great uncertainty coming out of Washington, D.C., this first transaction is a sign of hope for states like Nevada that are committed to keeping this imperiled bird off the Endangered Species List. It’s a major milestone in the sage-grouse story, and one that will have far-reaching benefits for many people and other wildlife that thrive in the American West.”

-        Eric Holst, Associate Vice President of Working Lands, Environmental Defense Fund