Tipton’s Language to Prohibit Sage Grouse ESA Listing Included in Interior Bill

Funds cannot be used to list Gunnison or Greater Sage Grouse under the bill

WASHINGTON—Today, the House Appropriations Committee included Congressman Scott Tipton’s (R-CO) language to prohibit the use of any funds under the FY 2015 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to be used to list the Gunnison or Greater Sage Grouse as threatened or endangered species. The bill was advanced during a Committee markup today.

In April, Tipton wrote House Appropriators:

“I am also writing to request that the following language be added to the FY 2015 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill stating:

‘None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to add the Gunnison-Sage Grouse to the list of threatened species or endangered species published under section 4(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1553 (c)).’

The adoption of this language is designed to postpone the [Department of Interior’s ] impulsive march towards listing the Gunnison Sage-Grouse as a threatened or endangered species.  The proposed ESA listing would designate 1.7 million acres in southwest Colorado and southeastern Utah as critical habitat - including private land which would be off limits to most use and development, including agricultural production and grazing, without providing any compensation.  Although this blanket management approach may be convenient for BLM to administer, it fails to account for the unique geography and environment of the region.”

See the full letter HERE.

Tipton also joined three of his House colleagues on letter requesting similar language for the Greater Sage Grouse. See their letter HERE.

The FY 2015 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act included the requested language under Section 117 to prohibit funds from being used to implement of the Gunnison and Greater Sage Grouse. See the bill HERE.

Tipton has been a vocal proponent of state and local species preservation efforts in Congress and recently introduced legislation, the Sage Grouse Protection and Conservation Act (H.R. 4716), with his Western colleagues including Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) to prevent the sage grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for 10 years. The bill would instead require states to develop conservation management plans to meet the unique needs of the Sage grouse in each state.

“The most effective species preservation plans according to biologists and other experts are locally-tailored to take into consideration the unique ecology and topography of the region in which the habitat occurs.  Colorado has been at the forefront of developing these types of effective local preservation plans for the sage grouse, and these efforts should be given every opportunity to succeed and increase the grouse population without interference from Washington,” said Tipton. “If the goal is truly to protect the sage grouse, then a one-size-fits all listing out of Washington is not the answer. It is not only less effective than locally-tailored plans, but jeopardizes the ongoing work being done in states to preserve and recover the species.”

Tipton has also co-sponsored four pieces of legislation (H.R. 4315, H.R. 4316, H.R. 4317, and H.R. 4318) to increase transparency and update the Endangered Species Act listing process. The legislation, which is awaiting a committee markup, would bring greater transparency to the ESA process by requiring federal agencies to disclose scientific data and cooperate with states. This would ensure the best available scientific data is being used to most effectively preserve a species. Read more HERE.