MONTROSE, Colo.—Montrose County is closing a county road near Crawford for a few months each year to help protect the Gunnison sage grouse by preserving six courtship and mating areas for the bird.
Commissioners David White, Gary Ellis and Ron Henderson passed a resolution closing county road C77 from March 15 to May 15 each year.
The commissioners are worried the birds will be disturbed by people who collect antlers for souvenirs or a living.
According to the Montrose Daily Press ( ), the road does not provide direct access to any homes and receives no winter maintenance from the county. The road closure only applies to motorized vehicle traffic.
The resolution must be reauthorized every year.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the Gunnison sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act. A decision is not expected before the end of September.
Montrose County opposes the proposed listing. Officials contend an accompanying critical habitat designation of 1.7 million acres could devastate the local economy. They hope the road closure can help stave off federal intervention.
The Gunnison sage grouse is found in parts of Montrose, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Saguache, Delta, Dolores, Delta, San Miguel, Mesa and Montezuma counties in Colorado, as well as San Juan County, Utah.
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Information from: The Montrose Daily Press,
