Western governors are concerned with signals from the Trump Administration about its intentions to kill a compromise deal to protect 165 million acres of habitat for the sage grouse.
"Western leaders, including Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, are opposing a possible Trump administration push to overhaul federal plans for protecting greater sage grouse across a Texas-sized area in 10 states," reports Bruce Finley.
The news provides a twist in a story that seemed to have culminated in 2015 when the Obama Administration and 11 states compromised on a voluntary effort that prevented the sage grouse from being listed as an endangered species. Five years of work went into that Finley called the "largest land-conservation feat ever attempted."
Bureau of Land Management officials have yet to implement the plans, and "Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke last week stayed mum on whether he’ll move ahead on a review of the plans," according to Finley.
FULL STORY: Battle royale looms as Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke mulls overhaul of plans to protect sage grouse habitat
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