A Gunnison sage grouse fans its tail feathers near Gunnison. The bird, best known for its mating dance, is now federally protected. (Dave Showalter, Colorado Parks and Wildlife/AP file)
Re: “Gunnison sage grouse gets federal protection to prevent extinction,” Nov. 13 news story.
Why has the U.S. Fish & Wildlife caved to extremist environmental groups that claim, minus science, that the Gunnison sage grouse will die off if it isn’t classified as endangered instead of threatened, which shouldn’t have happened at all? Was that USFWS’s sop to both sides?
All the scientific evidence presented so far shows how successful the public/private partnership has been, for 20 years, with truly caring landowners in Gunnison County. “Threatened” status allows unneeded restrictions, being only a small step below “endangered.” For the feds in D.C. to dismiss Gunnison’s efforts in deference to extremist groups is flat wrong.
Good for Gov. Hickenlooper to say the state may sue; I hope that happens soon. And good for Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet and Rep. Scott Tipton for being so firm in their objections.
This sappy “decision” deserves a Colorado lawsuit, which the state can win.
Margy Robertson, Monte Vista
This letter was published in the Nov. 15 edition.When it comes to the Gunnison sage grouse, itap easy for people and groups to focus on differences of opinion. What if, instead, we focused on what we have in common? Things like a love of Colorado’s natural lands and a desire to avoid wasting time and money.
Suing the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) to attempt to change its grouse listing decision is most likely a waste of time and taxpayers’ money. Consider using that time and money:
• To help the USFWS come up with an effective, reasonable recovery plan;
• For habitat restoration projects that benefit a host of wildlife species that rely on sagebrush habitat;
• To help local landowners in critical habitat take advantage of funding that can help them improve their land; and
• Other projects that would produce tangible, beneficial results for Coloradans, our land and wildlife.
Leigh Robertson, Ridgway
This letter was published in the Nov. 15 edition.
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